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HSP — Professional Development Programs
2024-2025 HSP Pro-D Fund
Applications for the 2024-2025 HSP Professional Development Fund are now open.
Working in partnership with the government of British Columbia, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association provides funding to support professional development for members covered by the collective agreement. The funding, first announced in June 2022 and provided by the BC Ministry of Health, allows members to pursue further specialization of skills in key professions.
Tuition fees, registration fees, the cost of required books/materials, and other reasonable education/training-related expenses are considered, to a maximum of $2,000. Please note that funds are limited, and PEA may not approve all costs requested. A maximum of $500 of the $2,000 cap can be used for travel and travel can only be within Canada.
The HSP Professional Development Fund is administered by the PEA. All provisions of the HSP Collective Agreement continue to apply, including the leave provisions. Some of the eligibility guidelines include:
- The applicant must be an HSP member covered by the PEA-HSP Collective Agreement.
- The application must pertain to education/training commenced between September 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025.
- The application must serve the purpose of at least one of the following three categories:
– On-going required professional development;
– Training and upgrading skills for members working in a profession experiencing a shortage; or
– Training and upgrading skills for members working in a profession in a rural or remote location. - The education/training must pertain to professional development in a health science professional discipline being practiced in the public health care system.
- Eligible expenses for reimbursement include tuition fees, registration fees, cost of required books/materials, and other reasonable education-related expenses and may also include the reasonable costs of travel and accommodation if the applicant must travel or temporarily relocate to attend education/training or related clinical placement. There is a maximum $500 cap (from the total $2,000 possible amount) per member for reimbursement of eligible travel expenses. Only travel within Canada is eligible.
- Applications must be received by August 31, 2025 for this funding period and will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Apply
- Complete the 2024-2025 HSP Professional Development Fund Application Form electronically and submit it as an attachment via email to the PEA’s Finance Office (mjoly@pea.org). Include the subject line “HSP ProD 2025.”
- The PEA’s Finance Officer will let you know if your application is approved, and then you will need to email the PEA Direct Deposit Form along with scans of all applicable receipts.
We anticipate that, due to the volume of applications received, it may take several weeks to process your application. We thank you in advance for your patience
Please review the FAQ for more details.
Health Science Professionals Chapter Bursary Program
The Bursary Program is taking applications until June 15, 2025.
The HSP chapter is offering four $500 bursaries for 2024. These bursaries are available to PEA HSP family members. Apply by June 5 through the following form:
https://forms.gle/ocANsRzbMFmeN7Hc7
The Health Science Professionals (HSP) chapter may, as funding permits, offer annual Chapter bursaries. These bursaries shall be available to PEA HSP immediate family members (spouse or children) subject to the following terms:
A. Eligibility
- Only the immediate family of PEA HSP members in good standing shall be eligible to apply for HSP Chapter bursaries.
- Applicants must be registered for, or in the process of being registered in, an upcoming part-time of full-time post-secondary educational degree or diploma program or other professional development education. A partial bursary may be awarded to cover education courses and associated costs (such as books and course materials) costing less than $500.
B. Requirements
- Bursary applicants shall submit applications to the HSP chapter via the link above. Applications shall include a statement (maximum 250 words) outlining the applicant’s education and career goals and how bursary funds will assist in attaining these goals.
- Deadline for receipt of applications shall be June 15, 2025. No late applications will be considered.
C. Conditions
- Bursaries shall be awarded at the discretion of the HSP Chapter Executive
- Bursaries may not be awarded should an insufficient number of suitable applications be received. Unawarded bursaries shall revert to Chapter funds.
- HSP Executive will review each bursary application to ensure that it meets eligibility criteria in sections A and B above.
- Should the number of applications identified in section C3 above exceed the number of bursaries available, bursaries shall be awarded first to those who have not previously received an HSP Chapter bursary. Selection will occur via random draw.
- Payment of bursary award shall be subject to proof of course completion. Successful applicants must provide proof of successful course completion within 12 months of notification of award or will be asked to repay the funds to HSP.
Health Science Professionals Pro Fees
Following the negotiation of the 2022–2025 collective agreement, the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA)—which includes HSA, BCGEU, CUPE, HEU, and PEA—secured a $14.6 million fund to help members cover regulatory and professional association fees. From this fund the PEA received a one-time allocation based on our membership size. Over the last two years, this funding has been available to members for reimbursement of professional fees. The funding is now fully allocated, and we are not able to offer reimbursement of professional fees for 2025.
We recognize that many of our members face some of the highest regulatory and professional licensing fees in the sector and understand the financial strain that this can bring. Covering your professional fees is essential for maintaining your professional standing but is also a significant financial burden.
That’s why one of the key proposals we’ve brought forward in this round of bargaining is focused on the Employer fully covering professional licensing fees. We believe this is a necessary and fair step to ensure that all members can continue their work without undue financial hardship.
