Professional Development Policy

To maintain an engaged workforce committed to student success by providing lifelong learning opportunities to all employees through Seneca-funded and supported professional development and personal growth activities.

All Seneca full-time non­-probationary employees.

Educational institutions currently recognized, authorized, registered and/or licensed by the relevant authorities in the provinces and territories of Canada

1. All full­time, non­probationary and regular part-time support staff employees are eligible to apply for tuition assistance for learning opportunities leading to a certificate, diploma or degree at a recognized, accredited postsecondary institution within Canada. *
   
2. All applications for tuition assistance require approval by the employee’s supervisor, and courses or programs must demonstrate alignment with Seneca’s values and strategic objectives, as documented in the employee’s approved IDP.
3. Seneca will reimburse 80 per cent of tuition fees for completed, accredited courses that are part of a certificate, diploma or degree program.
4. Seneca will also reimburse 80 per cent of tuition fees for other formally evaluated courses, unaffiliated to a specified credential but included in an employee’s IDP.
5. All employee tuition assistance applications must be submitted to LED for approval no later than two months in advance of starting a course or program.
6. Employees will be entitled to a lifetime maximum of $20,000 for tuition assistance during their employment at Seneca.
7. Seneca will give further consideration for tuition assistance of up to $5,000 to full­time employees pursuing doctoral qualifications (PhDs, DBAs, etc.), where the qualification supports the delivery of Seneca’s degree programs.
8. Tuition assistance funding is subject to change based on the availability of funds.
9. Employees receiving tuition assistance funding are expected to remain employed at Seneca for a minimum of one year following the last tuition reimbursement payment receipt.
10. Those leaving Seneca within one year of receiving funding will be required to repay Seneca for all payments received toward the pursued credential.

*Where a Canadian credential is not available in the approved discipline, format or mode of delivery, consideration will be given to programs at accredited institutions outside Canada.

1. Professional Development (PD) leave is intended to provide faculty, support and administrative employees opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience to meet the current and future needs of Seneca and its students.
2. Approved PD leaves must fulfill the criteria determined by both Seneca and those outlined in applicable collective agreements.
3. All full­time and RPT employees, with six or more years of service at Seneca, are eligible to apply for a PD leave under the Academic and Support Staff (FT / RPT) collective agreement(s) or terms and conditions of employment for  administrative employees.
4. PD leaves will be provided to faculty, support and administrative employees where the purpose and intent of the leave is aligned with Seneca’s strategic plan and based on available financial resources.
5. Upon completion of a Seneca supported PD leave, employees are required to return to Seneca for a minimum of one year.
6. Seneca employees returning from a PD leave are also required to share their learnings with colleagues. LED will support returning employees with ideas for this sharing, which can include, but is not limited to, presentations, webinars and articles on internal communication channels.

1. Seneca offers all eligible employees a reduced tuition fee of $20 per Ministry­ approved course offered through Seneca’s Faculty of Continuing Education and Training (FCET).
2. Employees must complete and submit the employee registration form.
3. Student employees are not eligible for this benefit.

• Individual Development Plan
• Professional Development Leave Application Form
• Travel Authorization – Online Form
• Employee Registration Form

• None

• Academic Employee Collective Agreement
• Support Staff Collective Agreement
• Part-Time Support Staff Collective Agreement

Approval Date: October 2012

Last Revision: April 2021