FBA Education Fund

During 2010 contract talks, the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) – the multi-union bargaining agent representing about 38,000 health care workers in B.C. – negotiated another $1.25 million education fund for members covered by the 2010–2012 Health Services & Support Facilities Subsector collective agreement.

This stemmed from the success of the $5 million FBA Education Fund secured in the 2006–2010 facilities contract to support health care workers in skills upgrading and career mobility opportunities.

Members can apply for short-term or long-term training funds. Intake for short-term training applications is ongoing. The first deadline for long-term training applications was June 18, 2010.

Update July 21, 2010: There was a very high number of applicants for long-term application funding (deadline June 18), which has put a heavy demand on FBA Education funds. It will not be possible to approve all applications. No new long-term applications are being accepted at this time.

Intake for short-term applications remains ongoing, but it will likely not be possible to approve all applications. It may take up to 12 weeks for a decision on short-term applications.

Downloadable information

  • Overview of Short-Term Training
  • Application form: Short-Term Training
  • Overview of Long-Term Training (application deadline closed)
  • Application form: Long-Term Training (application deadline closed)
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you want a printed copy of the application form and FBA Education Fund information, contact your local shop steward, local executive or union servicing representative; or call the FBA Education Fund at 604-456-7146 or toll-free 1-800-663-5813, extension 7146.

FBA background

The Hospital Employees’ Union is the largest of the 10 Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) unions – representing about 35,000 health care workers – followed by the British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union covering 1,300 members.

The other unions are: the International Union of Operating Engineers; the Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the United Steelworkers of Amer­ica; British Columbia Nurses’ Union; the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry.

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