Education Trust Fund Policies + Applications

POLICIES OF THE EDUCATION FUND APPLICATION: Conferences/(re)Certification/Workshops APPLICATION: Part-Time Courses APPLICATION: Bursary

Next Disbursement – JUNE 2026

 

2025, in review

The Education Trust Fund Committee met three times in 2025 to review and approve routine disbursements. Throughout the year, the Committee also engaged in extensive discussions regarding policy review and enhancement. As a result, the Education Trust Fund is pleased to announce several policy updates and increased levels of financial assistance, effective January 1, 2026.

These changes include updates to the ETF policy and the introduction of a revised application process for Conferences, (Re)Certifications, and Workshops.

Highlights of Policy Updates to the Education Fund

  • General language: Standardized language has been applied to throughout the policy to ensure consistency and clarity.
  • Expense Transparency: Clearer details have been added outlining the expenses incurred by the Education Fund.
  • Disbursement Schedule: An additional disbursement month (March) has been introduced. Disbursements will now be processed quarterly, improving accessibility and reducing wait times for funding.
  • Committee Structure: The policy now clearly defines the composition and term length of the Education Fund Committee:
    • Four (4) members will comprise the Committee;
    • and members will serve two (2)-year terms, filled by acclamation or election.
  • Declaration of Additional Funding Sources: Applicants are required to declare funding received from other sources. Failure to do so will result in a written warning for a first offence, and a one-year period of ineligibility for the Education Trust Fund upon a second offence. This represents a reduction from the previous five-year ineligibly period upon first offense.

Highlights of Updates to the application for Conferences/(re)Certification/Workshops

  • WRHA Continuing Education: Policy 1.0 has been added, strongly encouraging applicants to first seek funding through the WRHA Continuing Education Fund. WRHA provides up to $500 per year for education and requires submission within 30 days, compared to the Education Trust Fund’s 60-day submission window. While not mandatory for eligibility, this step is encouraged.
  • Increase to Maximum Funding: Maximum funding has been increased to $1,000 per person, per calendar year. This replaces the previous policy of 50% funding up to $1,000 over a two-year period.
  • Travel and Hotel Accommodations: Eligible expenses now include travel (such as taxi, Uber, train, etc.) between the airport and hotel, as well as hotel accommodations.
  • Application Checklist: A new checklist has been added to help ensure all required supporting documentation is gathered and submitted with the application.

What’s next in 2026

As the Committee continues to meet regularly in 2026 to review disbursement requests, it remains committed to ensuring strong and equitable access to financial assistance for nurses at the Health Sciences Centre.

Ongoing review of applications for Part-Time Courses and Bursaries remains a standing agenda item.

We encourage all Health Sciences Centre nurses to pursue continuing education. The Education Trust Fund is here to support you.

Education Trust Fund Committee

ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTANT
  • Montana Patrick
    • Email: HSCEducationFund@mnu10.ca
    • Phone: (204) 775-6811
  • Please direct all inquiries regarding the Education Trust Fund to the above contact.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
  • MNU Worksite 10 President, Shelley Trapp-Armstrong
  • MNU Worksite 10 Vice-President, Lydia Danilis
  • Member-at-large, Karen Fulmore
  • Member-at-large, Sara Follett
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
  • Douglas Financial

History of the Education Trust Fund

40th Anniversary Report

A Dream Realized

In 1979, members of the then MONA Workplace 10 approved a motion to establish an Education Trust Fund with monies accumulated from rebates from the Unemployment Insurance Commission (now the Employment Insurance Commission). After much discussion, the members of the Executive (Mary Lynn Brookes, Beth Ritchie (now Brunsdon Clark), Laurie Curtis (now Moser), Kaye Freskiw, Leslie Walsh, Barry Bradley, Linda Newton, Roberta Lowry, Lesley Carrington and Sandy Linton developed a proposal to use the accumulated funds to set up a trust fund that would be used to support nurses who wished to pursue further education. The motion was approved by a two-thirds majority of the membership. The concept of the fund received a letter of commendation from the Commission with comments about the creativity and uniqueness of the idea.

During the development of the proposal, the Executive engaged in “some dreaming” about what this Fund could do and what it would look like in the future. With 30 years of experience, the current Board has taken the opportunity to compare the reality of the history with the dreams of 1979. The dream of supporting nursing education of all types has certainly been realized. Hundreds of Workplace 10 members have attended specialty conferences around the world, obtained education and certification in a wide variety of nursing specialties and achieved further formal nursing education at college or university. We are proud to say we have supported a nurse from our Local in obtaining her doctorate in nursing science.

We believe the dream of supporting nurses in their pursuit of further education of the widest variety, has truly been realized. The other part of the “dream” in 1979 was to have a fund that was sustainable in the event the rebate from the Employment Insurance Commission ended; the executive back then hoped someday the principal would reach $500,000.00. The Fund was established with $106,000.00 the amount that accumulated over several years. With the continued financial support of the rebate form the Employment Insurance Commission, wise and prudent investing and a generous donation from Workplace 10 of the Manitoba Nurses Union, we are proud to report that this goal has been met.

The current board of the Education Trust Fund would like to acknowledge the vision and responsible stewardship of previous Board members and Administrators. Their wisdom and hard work has meant the members of Workplace 10 will be able to access support for their professional development for many years to come.