The Training Fund Professional Development benefit has now been expanded to cover reimbursement for State and Federal licenses required for employment, and eligible professional development activities for all bargaining units!

Members can use this benefit to seek reimbursement for any activity/payment from September 1, 2024 onward.

You can now use your $300/year Professional Development reimbursement benefit to cover State and Federal licenses required for employment.

• This also includes annual WA Department of Health License Renewals

 You will need to provide:

• valid proof of payment
  • (Receipt that includes: Name, Date of payment & Paid activity)
• a copy of your license info that was paid when making this request
  • (screenshot directly from the DOH website – after renewal – is acceptable proof)

Make sure you submit all 2024 funding requests before the Dec 31 deadline (see below).

Learn More & Access Request Forms

Happy Medical Assistants Week!

We have several programs, opportunities, and support services to help MAs (as Service Bargaining Unit members) achieve their education and career goals.

Benefits for Training Fund Service Members

Interested in becoming a Medical Assistant? Learn more about our MA Apprenticeship Program

Our members say it best!

Haidee’s Success Story

After immigrating to the US in 2015, she started working as a GI nurse in Albany, New York, and then later moved to Washington in 2019 where she transitioned to Dialysis Nursing. Her experience led her to realize being a nurse is more than just a job: “It is deeply fulfilling to see how I can make a positive difference in people’s lives through my work.”

When Haidee joined Providence Swedish, she took the time to explore all the opportunities available to her and learned about the Training Fund’s benefits. She says, “I was fortunate to have Janee Wilson as my Intake Coordinator, who was not only personable but also incredibly responsive to my needs. When we first spoke, I was still clueless as to what I wanted to do and where I wanted to study. She introduced me to Western Governors University, which ended up being the perfect fit for me in terms of affordability and schedule flexibility.” Our staff and education Navigators provide guidance and support to help members like Haidee find the best options that fit their goals and situations.

Haidee is honest about challenges along the way, sharing “It certainly was not easy. My educational journey presented its fair share of challenges. I do not have any immediate career goal or promotion I am eyeing. So, when it got tough, there were moments when I questioned my decision to pursue further education.” But now that she has graduated, Haidee reflects that “having this credential under my belt provides reassurance that I’m well-prepared for whatever the future may hold. It’s a qualification that enhances my competency and opens doors for potential growth down the line.”

Haidee completed her MSN in less than six months! Looking back, she says, “It was no small feat to balance a full-time job and the responsibilities of being a wife and mother while also studying for my graduate degree. It was only possible thanks to the unwavering encouragement, support and understanding from my husband, son and parents.”

“Most importantly, thanks to Training Fund, I had free education!”

Tuition Assistance and individualized navigation are just some of the many benefits that the Training Fund offers members to help you achieve your goals. Haidee shares her encouragement: “When I finally took that leap of faith and submitted my application, everything changed. Now, I proudly hold a Master’s in Nursing, all thanks to that initial action. So, don’t hesitate—take that first step, and who knows what incredible opportunities await you!”

Reach out to the Training Fund to take the next step.

Tuition Assistance Deadline is October 15th for courses beginning January 2025 or later.

Questions? Contact us at .

Training Fund members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) to cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs at accredited and approved schools.

The deadline to apply for Tuition Assistance for courses beginning January 2025 or later is October 15, 2024.

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

Apply early to receive expert guidance and support from our education Navigators! You do not have to be admitted into a program or know the details before applying for Tuition Assistance – our Navigators are available to work with you and create a plan to succeed.   

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

The TA benefit is based on your Bargaining Unit and FTE:

• Service members maximum Tuition Assistance has increased for limited time from $3,500 to $5,250/year. Learn More
• Pro/Tech members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year
• RN members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year. Additional $3,000/year RN Scholarship is available while funding lasts. Learn More

Happy Environmental Services Week!

Benefits for Training Fund Service Members

Congratulations, Graduates!

Kudos and congratulations to all our graduating members and apprentices!

We celebrated several program graduations over the summer, including: Bellevue College’s RN to BSN pinning ceremony, Introduction to Healthcare employment & Apprenticeship Program (with Seattle Jobs Initiative), Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation, and our first Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship with Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.

We are so proud of all these new graduates: Nursing Assistant-Certified participants who completed their training; and the Medical Assistant apprentices, Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy Technician apprentices who have completed their apprenticeships.

Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Graduation

The Training Fund hosted our first Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation on July 18th, 2024. We celebrated graduates from our Behavioral Health Technician Apprenticeship, Peer Counselor Apprenticeship, and Substance Use Disorder Professional Apprenticeship programs. It has been our honor to support these apprentices on their journey and celebrate this huge accomplishment. 

“I currently work with residents with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or schizophrenia. It was different to me and I wanted to learn more about these health issues that constantly develop with our elderly population. The more the class progressed, the more I learned on how these health issues can be caused or how we can assist these residents as well.

The Training Fund constantly checks up on me and sees how I am doing with work as well as any needs I may have. I always had a fear of speaking publicly but with Jessica as our instructor for BHT she brought me out of my shell, and I completely lost that fear.”

Karla Martinez-Zuniga, Behavioral Health Technician Apprentice, Cascade Senior Living Services

RN to BSN Pinning Ceremony

Congratulations to the members who graduated from the RN-to-BSN program at Bellevue College this year. The program is part-time or full-time, low-residency, and has a flexible hybrid model. Training Fund members have priority acceptance into this program.

“Going to school while working full time and balancing a family can be really challenging. The Training Fund helped by covering tuition, fees, and books for my last 2 quarters of the BSN program. I have always wanted to work in healthcare and although my role has changed over time, the passion and reward I feel in taking care of others endures. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a residency in the NICU and I love my patients and being able to help families through what can be a really challenging time. “

Meeral Khatri, RN, Valley Medical Center 

Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Programs (IHAP)

Fifteen participants graduated from the Spring 2024 IHAP cohort with Seattle Jobs Initiative. Our first IHAP cohort in Pierce County in partnership with Arivva also completed their training.

“I want to start off with saying that my passion is caregiving. Unfortunately, I struggled with addiction issues. My addiction ended up taking me away from my family, my friends, my passion. I had to change the people and places around me. I’m actually gaining two years of sobriety this month. I decided to work in the IHAP program, after I saw others complete the IHAP program and the NA-C program. This is an opportunity to get back into my passion.”

Kianna Hill

Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship in High School

The pilot Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County) apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians is a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship opportunity for high school students in WA state. Apprentices also earn college credit in partnership with North Seattle College. We are thrilled to celebrate the first graduates of this program!

“This program is geared toward the industry. We are developing students so that they are industry ready when they complete the program. They got their high school credits, college credits, and got paid while they were doing it. It’s a win win win!”

Shelly Griner, Instructor

“This apprenticeship program has impacted my life by creating the opportunity for me to apply my love for healthcare, and also help others in the real world,”

Arizona, first apprentice of the Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship class