Using Professional Development Funds
As you plan for upcoming semesters, you may be considering conferences, training, or other professional development activities. SAFA encourages members to take advantage of the Professional Development (PD) funds available to support this work.
It’s important to note – although many people refer to these funds as “SAFA PD”, they are not administered by SAFA. The funding is established by the Collective Agreement but is budgeted, approved, and paid for by SAIT. SAIT typically refers to the program as “Academic Employee PD” or “AE PD”.
How Much Funding is Available?
According to Section 12 of the Collective Agreement, each full-time SAFA salaried member is allocated $800 every two years for professional development. Full-time salaried members also qualify for an additional $800 through HR Policy 2.2, bringing the total to $1600 over a 24-month period. Permanent part-time salaried and temporary salaried members who have completed their probationary period are also eligible for pro-rated PD funds. Members should note that unused PD funds are forfeited at the end of the 24-month period (if hired in an even year, the funds expire June 30, 2026; odd year, funds expire June 30, 2027).
Things to Know
- Monthly balance updates: Eligible members should receive an automated PD balance email from SAIT HR every month.
- Equipment and software: PD funding can now be used for certain equipment and software purchases – review the HR.2.2.2 schedule A for more information. Requests should include a clear explanation of how the item supports your classroom or professional role.
- PCard purchases: PD expenses can be now charged directly to a SAIT PCard, and administrators are authorized to use their PCard on behalf of academic employees.
Questions?
For additional information about PD options, review the SAITNow Academic Employee Professional Development pages. For more information about requesting PD funds, contact SAIT Human Resources at [email protected]. If you believe PD policy is being applied incorrectly, members can also contact the SAFA office for support.
In solidarity,
Craig Coolahan
Labour Relations Officer, SAFA
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Inside Your Union: What We’re Working On
SAFA’s work doesn’t only happen at formal meetings or during bargaining. Every week, your Table Officers and Representatives are reviewing policies, supporting members through concerns, preparing for joint committees, and advocating for fair and reasonable working conditions across SAIT.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening in the last couple of months:
📌 Workload: Multiple workload complaint submissions have been submitted by faculty, which require the joint Workload Monitoring Group to investigate and issue outcomes. As well, SAFA just completed a project to analyze Mutual Agreement form submissions from 2023-2026 to monitor compliance to the documentation process.
📌 Committee & Governance: The SAFA Officers met with SAIT Executives each month to discuss issues related to professional development use, campus operations, and impacts from the announced budget shortfall.
📌 Grievance & Member Support: This time of year, members often have questions around summer work assignments & vacation scheduling, contract renewals, and burnout concerns. The SAFA Office typically has multiple members drop in each day to ask these and other general questions.
📌 Planning Ahead: SAFA Officers recently discussed the need for ongoing training for our positions. The Officers have made the commitment to attend workshops and webinars on current labour law, dispute resolution, and management practices for union environments in the coming months.
Why this series?
Many members told us you want clearer updates about what SAFA is doing between major announcements. This series is one way we’ll provide that transparency — short, focused updates on the work underway.
If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered in a future installment, let us know.
In Solidarity,
Jessica Norman
SAFA Communications Officer