FAQ Friday: Course Reimbursement
Is your local union looking to bolster your workers' safety and craft skills? Course Reimbursement could be the solution you've been seeking.
The Course Reimbursement program supports local unions by providing financial assistance in the form of a reimbursement for safety and craft skills courses that local unions themselves present. IATSE workers and participating local unions both benefit as locals can offer their workers industry-specific training without shouldering the entire financial burden. This can help strengthen worker engagement and promote safety and craft skills development.
What types of courses are eligible for funding?
Funding through the Course Reimbursement program is exclusively available for group safety and craft skills courses. Reimbursements aim to offset the cost of providing group training and require a minimum of five students per course. While only group safety and craft skills courses qualify for funding, the range of training options is limitless. A list of courses funded this year can be found here.
Do we have to use a TTF-approved trainer to teach a class?
No, there is no such thing as a TTF-approved trainer. The TTF does not evaluate, certify, authorize, or approve trainers in any capacity. Local unions are responsible for selecting and verifying their chosen trainers' competency, certifications, and quality of work. You know your local’s training needs, so you should use a trainer you deem appropriate.
How does the reimbursement process function for local unions?
The reimbursement process begins with selecting an eligible safety or craft skill course to present. Once a course has been chosen, the local union can submit reimbursement requests to the TTF. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, but it is recommended to apply at least 30 days before the course date. This allows sufficient time for the application to be reviewed, corrections to be made if necessary, and any missing information to be obtained. Applications for courses that have already taken place cannot be considered. Approval notices, including approved expenses and amounts, necessary forms, and the expense report due date, will be emailed within four weeks of application submission.
Click here to download a checklist to guide you through the required steps for reimbursement ↓
Can courses approved for Course Reimbursement funding be rescheduled?
Yes. Courses can be rescheduled if held within the same year in which they were approved.
Can you reimburse for union leadership development?
No. Course Reimbursement funding is only available for safety and craft skills training and cannot be used for union leadership development. If you require support in this area, the IATSE Education Department might be able to help. The IATSE’s Labor Education Assistance Program (LEAP) provides reimbursement to local union officers who enroll in qualifying labor studies programs. They also offer several leadership development trainings including Officer Institute 1.0; Officer Institute: Secretary Treasurer 2.0; Local Union Trustee Training; Online Leadership Training; and more. Please contact officerinstitute@iatse.net with any questions.
Is support available for local unions in planning and executing courses?
Yes, the TTF provides training and resources to local unions to help them plan and execute effective safety and craft skills courses. The Guide to Developing Training Programs is an excellent resource for assessing the training needs of your local union. We also highly recommend the Train the Trainer workshops for local trainers. These workshops cover a range of teaching techniques, learning styles, training design, and lesson plan concepts. Local unions can choose from three available workshops. If your local union is not yet ready to create its own courses, the Trainer Database is a fantastic alternative. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily explore the courses offered by IATSE trainers across the United States and Canada.