Rural Capacity Investment Fund
AUPE-ANC and AHS

RCIF Funding

How much money does the RCIF have to spend?

• Through recently ratified collective agreements, the Alberta Provincial Employees Auxillary Nursing Care (AUPE-ANC) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) implemented the Rural Capacity Investment Fund to administer $8.4 million

• Between April 1, 2022, and March 30, 2024, annual funding is available to sustain the workforce in the North, Central and South Zones that are difficult to recruit.  (Those in the Calgary and Edmonton Zones are not eligible)

• ​There is no additional RCIF funding available after March 2024

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Who is eligible to apply?

• Members of the AUPE-ANC bargaining unit employed by AHS

• For the Retention Incentive

  • Eligible employees are those who worked between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, and are still employed with AHS as of August 1, 2023

• For the Recruitment Incentive:

  • For regular full-time and part-time equivalent positions, applications can be made from April 1, 2022 - March 1 2024

  • ​​For temporary full-time and part-time equivalent positions, applications can be made from April 1, 2023 - March 1, 2024​

  • If a casual employee is hired into a permanent position that meets the funding criteria, they are eligible, and the manager may make the application

  • Applications are made once a successful candidate has been hired​

• For the Tuition Reimbursment:

  • For all AUPE-ANC Bargaining Unit members who have incurred educational costs associated with their ANC classification between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2024

• For the Team Building and Development

  • Worksite managers may apply for team building and development funds for AUPE-ANC team members

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Where can I find out more about the RCIF?

• The Committee has a website dedicated to the RCIF for AUPE-ANC rcif-alberta.ca/aupe

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How long is the funding available?

• All funds must be spent by March 31, 2024.

 

How did the committee decide to allocate the funds?

• The Committee has been meeting since November 2022

• In March, a survey went out to all AUPE-ANC members to get a pulse on member funding priorities

• Results of the survey have informed the RCIF decisions

• The committee will continually review the allocation of funds and make necessary changes to ensure the entire fund is allocated by March 31, 2024.

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Retention Incentive

What is the Retention Incentive?

• Approximately $3 million has been allocated as a retention incentive to all AUPE-ANC employees employed by AHS in the North, Central and South Zones.  

• Those in the Calgary and Edmonton Zones are not eligible

• ​​​There is no application process for this payment​

 

Who is eligible?

• Eligible employees are those who worked between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, and are still employed with AHS as of August 1, 2023.

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When will the retention payment be distributed?

• The payment will be distributed through payroll in the fall of 2023

• The payment is subject to applicable taxes and other required deductions

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Recruitment Incentive

What is the Recruitment Incentive?

• The Recruitment Incentive is an opportunity to attract new and existing employees to “difficult-to-recruit positions” in the North, Central and South Zones.    

• Recruitment incentives are available for urban and rural sites within the three zones and are available until March 1, 2024, or until the funds are spent (whichever comes first)

 

Who is eligible?

• For regular full-time and part-time equivalent positions, applications can be made from April 1, 2022 - March 1 2024

• ​​For temporary full-time and part-time equivalent positions, applications can be made from April 1, 2023 - March 1, 2024​

• If a casual employee is hired into a position that meets the funding criteria, they are eligible, and the manager may make the application.

• Open to both internal and external candidates.  Internal applicants must be relocating at least 100 km from their current worksite to the new worksite to be eligible

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How do I apply?

• Managers apply on behalf of the employee.  Applications are on the website rcif-alberta.ca/aupe

• Applications are made once a successful candidate has been hired.

 

Can I put information on a posting about the RCIF recruitment incentive?

• Yes.  Here is a sample we recommend:

 “Attention (insert occupation name)! This position may qualify for a $5,000 to $10,000 Recruitment Incentive. Visit rcif-alberta.ca/aupe for more details.”

• Applications are made once a successful candidate has been hired.

 

When will applications be assessed?

• Applications will be assessed on an ongoing basis.  The committee will review applications weekly.

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Return for Service (RFS):

 

What is a Return for Service Agreement (RFS)?

• It is a document signed by the employee and employer to assure that the employee will remain at that site for a specific time (the Commitment Period)

• The Recruitment Incentive commitment period is for 12 months 

 

What if an employee terminates their position before the end of the RFS?

• If the Successful Candidate voluntarily terminates, is terminated during their probationary period, or transfers to a new position, they agree to reimburse a pro-rated amount of the incentive received.

• The amount owing will be based on the remaining time of the return-for-service agreement.

 

What date does the commitment period begin

• New Hire: The commitment period begins on the first day of employment 

• Retroactive Application:  The commitment period begins on the date of signing the agreement. 

• If an employee is returning from an LOA or Temporary Position, the Commitment period begins the day they return to that position, provided it is before March 1, 2024.

 

What if I am on LOA

• Managers may apply on behalf of the employee if they are on a Leave of Absence.  The Commitment period begins on the day they return to work, provided it is before March 1, 2024.  If they are returning after this date, they are not eligible for funding.

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How is the money disbursed?

• The funds will be disbursed through payroll once as a lump sum payment.

• The incentive is subject to applicable taxes and other required deductions.

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Tuition Relief

What is the tuition funding?

• 1 million is available 

• Employees may apply for up to $5000 for tuition relief between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024

• ​Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis​ 

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Who is eligible?

• Employees in the AUPE-ANC bargaining unit candidates in the North, Central or South Zones must be spent by March 31, 2024

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What qualifies as tuition

• ​Tuition relief is for ANC classifications only

• ​Only tuition expenses incurred after April 1, 2022, until March 1, 2024, are eligible for reimbursement

• Examples of funding that are eligible include:  fees for Substantial Equivalent Assessment (assessment of previous health-related education) through the HCA Directory and English Language Literacy upgrading 

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How do I apply?​

• Employees must submit an application available on the website and, if approved, must submit copies of receipts for reimbursement through iExpense

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Team Building and Development

What is the funding for?

• 1 million is available for team building and development for worksites in the  North, Central and South zones

• The funding is to support  the AUPE-ANC bargaining unit members within these worksites

 

Who can apply?

Managers can apply for up to $10,000 for team building and development from worksites within the three zones

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What is the application process?

• Application forms are available for managers on the website

• The application asks for details of the project, a budget, and how the manager has consulted with their AUPE-ANC team members

• If accepted, the manager must sign a Project Agreement

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How is the money dispersed?

• Managers will receive the funding for the project

• Managers will be required to submit a final budget and evaluation by March 2024.  

• ​​Managers must use up all the money by March 20, 2024​