CSSEA and the Community Social Services Bargaining Association of Unions (CSSBA) are
pleased to announce that the Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education
Fund (LAEF) has extended the submission period to December 31, 2025, for applications for
education and training funding. Details on the fund, eligibility criteria and application forms
can be found on the LAEF website.
If you were previously denied funding because your education or training did not begin before
March 31, 2025, we kindly ask that you either re-apply using the LAEF online submission form,
or send an email to LAEF@bcgeu.ca to have your application placed back in the queue.
What is the LAEF?
The Community Social Services Labour Adjustment and Education Fund is a joint initiative of
CSSEA and CSSBA. The purpose of the LAEF is to enhance the skills of frontline community
social services workers by providing relevant professional development. It also prioritizes and
offers additional support and retraining for workers impacted by layoffs, downsizing, or
restructuring so workers can continue to be employed in the community social services sector.
Who Can Apply for Funding?
The constituent unions of the CSSBA, CSSEA, employers, individuals or groups may apply for
funding. Education and training must be relevant to continuing work in the community social
services sector. All applications will be reviewed by the LAEF Joint Steering Committee based
on the eligibility criteria and funding amounts set out by CSSEA and CSSBA. For a full list of
eligibility criteria, please refer to the attached Eligibility and Funding Guidelines or at the
above website. Applications will be reviewed on a regular, ongoing basis.
How Much Funding is Available to Me?
The following chart illustrates the maximum amount of funding available to applicants for the
funding term April 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. If an individual or group applies for and
receives a lesser amount than the maximum available, they may submit additional application(s)
in the future.
Type of Application Maximum Amount of Funding
Individual $3,000
Individual impacted by layoffs, downsizing or
restructuring
$5,000
Group $10,000
Group impacted by layoffs, downsizing or
restructuring
$15,000
For More Information
If you have further questions not answered on the LAEF website, please e-mail laef@bcgeu.ca