Please refer to the Professional Development Guidelines in the Portage College Policies, Guidelines & Procedures Manual (E.4).
Click here for PD Application Form.
PD includes training activities that enhance and improve an individual’s skill related to their field or employment at the College. PD activities include:
Ø credit or non-credit courses
Ø self-study
Ø workshops,
Ø seminars
Ø conferences
Ø industry experience and upgrading related activities.
The PD year is from July 1 – June 30.
An application form must be filled out for ALL PD activities (internal or external). Forms are available from the Human Resources office.
Applications are filled out by the employee and forwarded to his/her supervisor. The application must then be approved by the Manager/Dean/Director/Regional Director or Vice President/President prior to the activity start date.
The approved form is forwarded to HR for tracking purposes. HR will distribute copies to Finance and the employee. The employee is responsible for the registration or cancellation of the PD activity
There are certain criteria that are followed when considering approval for professional development, including:
Ø Activity supports the employees Learning Plan;
Ø PD activity is making efficient and effective use of college resources;
Ø The PD activity is directly applicable to the employees current or future role at the College;
Ø Quality of the professional development activity provider.
There are annual PD budgetary limits per individual. Limits vary between employee groups. If the request exceeds this limit, approval is required by the appropriate VP and and Faculty Chair or AUPE representative.
Ø Employees are responsible for the payment of the tuition and expenses associated with an external PD activity.
Ø Reimbursement for PD expenses will be made upon successful completion of the PD activity, through the submission of an expense claim, coded to the appropriate PD budget code: (Faculty – 2500; Staff – 2411; Excluded – 2412; Management – 2413)
Ø Employees may request an accountable advance for payment of the PD activity. Pre-paid expenses are to be paid back to the College if the employee does not successfully complete the PD activity.
Ø Individual College Visas are NOT to be used for payments. Should a circumstance arise that a College Visa must be used, the billing must be done through HR or Nancy Rogers in Finance.
Eligible expenses differ between Employee Groups and PD Activity.
NON CREDIT COURSES
Ø Eligible expenses include tuition or registration fees, travel and subsistence.
Ø Travel ,Meals and Accommodation – will be paid according to the College Travel Expense Guideline.
FOR CREDIT COURSES (University/College Courses)
Ø Eligible costs are limited to tuition and distance education fees. Staff Association may choose to include books.
Ø Ineligible costs include, meals, accommodation, mileage and books.
Where ongoing PD support has been offered for degrees and/or certificates, the College will require a Return Service Agreement which will vary according to Employee Group.
Fees and expenses that can be covered by worksite budget codes rather than PD codes:
Ø These requests will be reviewed on an individual basis by the appropriate Vice President.
Ø Exceptions may include:
o PD that is directly related to Portage College specific technologies, equipment or processes.
o An employee is making a presentation at a conference.
ü An application form must be filled out for ALL PD activities (both internal or external).
ü The employee is responsible for payment and expenses of external PD activities. An accountable advance may be requested by the employee.
ü Tuition fees for internal PD are processed through a budget transfer, upfront payment is not required. The fees are to be paid back to the college if the employee fails to successfully complete the PD activity.
ü If an employee cancels a professional development session, the Human Resources Department must be notified.
ü If in doubt, about professional development, refer to the Professional Development Guidelines in the Portage College Policies, Guidelines & Procedures Manual (E.4).
If you have any questions about Professional Development, please contact the Portage College Human Resources Department.
