Online Learning

The Internet is a great tool and fountain of information, but it can be a dangerous place if you are not careful. There are many reasons that you need to use the highest security measures while on the Internet in order to keep yourself and loved ones safe. It doesn’t matter what age you are, learn what you need to protect yourself, your family and your children from Internet stalkers as well as safeguard your personal information online. Watch a preview of the course. Find more information and register here.

Created for those who want to know just the essentials, this course provides you with enough knowledge to have fun while learning different techniques that will assist you when “surfing the net”. Find more information and register here.

This course covers the basic concepts of computing, as well as popular applications and typing. Participants will learn about the basic functions of a computer, while gaining a greater knowledge of computer software and hardware. Find more information and register here.

In the pursuit of a healthier and safer work environment, this course covers topics such as: toxic substances, physical states of matter, sound and vibration, principles of control, and various pieces of legislation. You learn that no risk on the job is acceptable. Find more information and register here.

Workers expect to stay alive while earning a living, thus there is a need for health and safety in the workplace: it’s what keeps us safe. This course reviews the reporting of accidents, the long-term effects of exposure, and the impact an accident can have on a worker’s life. Find more information and register here.

The union movement is the largest arm of the human rights movement. However, this strength is only realized as members understand their value and worth. This course is designed to provide answers to many of the questions people have about unions and democracy at work. Watch a preview of the course. Find more information and register here.

A workplace can only remain functional when those who operate within it find a way to respect each other. This course alerts us to what a poisoned work environment consists of, what we can do to combat it, the various ways our dignity is harmed and how it affects all those in the workplace. Find more information and register here.

Unions couldn’t survive without their stewards: they are our advocates in the workplace. But being a union steward is not an easy job. This course provides you with the tools you will need to listen, communicate, educate, and defend your fellow co-workers in dealing with management and during elections, meetings, and collective bargaining. You will learn to identify and resolve grievances, as well as how to police the collective agreement. Find more information and register here.

UFCW 1518 Dental Division
Dental Division Coverage Fact Sheet
Phone: 1.888.818.3368

Health Care Dental Plan
Phone: 1.888.275.4672

For all other workplaces, please consult your collective agreement for information on your workplace benefits.

Safeway Members
Health & Welfare Trust Phone: 1.888.310.1318 ext #3381

Overwaitea Food Group Members
Phone: 1.877.643.7200

Health Care Members
Phone: 1.888.275.4672

For all other workplaces, please consult your collective agreement for information on your workplace benefits.

Current and retired members can find a range of valuable information about their pension including calculator by visiting the pension plan website or contact the plan at 1.888.345.8329.

Health care members covered by the Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) can access information about their pension here or contact the plan at 1.800.668.6335. For questions about the MPP and to learn more about how to make the most of your pension, health care members can visit mpp.pensionsbc.ca and take online courses and webinars to have your questions answered. An overview of the learning resources can be found here.

Members covered by the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Pension Plan (CCWIPP) can access information about their pension or contact the plan at 1.800.665.2947.

Scholarships totalling $100,000 have been made available by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1518, in memory of Kim Novak (1985–2024), for women in their final year of an undergraduate program at the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Institute of Technology or at a college in British Columbia. Recipients must be a member, a daughter of a member or a legal ward of a member of the Union in good standing. Ordinarily, each award will be valued at $10,000. Those who wish to be considered must give full details of their own or their parents’ membership in the Union. Students may only receive one of the UFCW Local 1518 scholarships.

Kim (B.A. 2008) was a dedicated advocate for social justice who began her union journey as a Safeway clerk. She held key positions within UFCW 1518, including communication representative, union representative, director, and Secretary-Treasurer, before serving as President from 2019 to 2024. She was the first woman and youngest person to hold the role. She was elected Vice-President of UFCW International in 2019. This award celebrates Kim’s commitment to education, engagement and empowerment in support of workers, human rights and equity. The awards are made on the recommendation of Enrolment Services. (First award available for the 2025/2026 winter session). 

Apply:

Applications open mid-August 2025. Please stay tuned for more details.

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Young Workers Program and United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) award the annual CLC/UWCC Post-Secondary Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to support a young activist who is starting their first year of full-time post-secondary study in September.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following criteria

• Current union member, or the child/dependent of a union member, that is affiliated to the CLC;
• Age 30 or under as of September 1st, 2019;
• Enrolled for September 2019 to enter their first year of full-time study at a Canadian public post-secondary institution: university program (leading to a degree) or college program (leading to a diploma or certificate);
• Does not have any prior post-secondary studies; and
• Currently enrolled or not more than two years out of secondary school.

Apply:

For more information and to apply, click here. Deadline to apply is June of each year.

The UFCW 1518 Affiliation Scholarship #547 awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to students beginning or continuing studies in a full academic program at the University of BC, University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, BC Institute of Technology, or at a college in British Columbia. The scholarship is awarded to students entering from Grade 12 and students continuing with their post-secondary education. The awards are normally made to the applicants with the highest academic standing.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a member of UFCW 1518 in good standing, or a child or legal ward of a member in good standing, and have earned a minimum grade of 75% in the previous year’s studies.

Required documentation:

1. Letter of recommendation from UFCW 1518 confirming your or your parent’s membership in good standing. Please email your request to reception@ufcw1518.com with the subject line UFCW 1518 Scholarship 547.
2. Most recent high school or post-secondary transcripts.
3. A brief summary of how you meet the requirements.

Apply online:

Applications currently closed but will reopen in summer 2024. Click here to learn more.

In partnership with Thompson Rivers University, UFCW 1518 offers members full tuition and partial living expenses to attend the Retail Meat Cutting Program. This nine-month program trains members to take up employment as a meat cutter and join a thriving industry that is always seeking talented and dedicated workers.

For admission information, contact Corey Davison at 250-828-5351 or cdavison@tru.ca. Learn more about the course here.

Deadline: Next program intake begins August 26, 2024.

This scholarship honours the memory of Dick Martin, a tireless health and safety advocate and a pioneer of workplace health and safety in Canada. Worth $3000, this CCOHS national scholarship is available to any student enrolled full-time or part-time in occupational health and safety-related studies at an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada, including mine safety, occupational or industrial health and safety, industrial hygiene, safety management or other related safety degree program. Find more information and apply here.

The Columbia Institute is committed to lifelong learning that benefits all segments of society. That’s why it supports adult learners interested in re-training and skills upgrading.

The David Podworny Memorial Scholarship, valued at $1,000 per year, is intended for those studying or planning to study telecommunications trades and labour studies at accredited public institutions in British Columbia or Washington State. Find more information and apply here.

The Dennis McGann Bursary is a one-time bursary, worth up to $1,000, for those studying or planning to study communications who demonstrate a commitment to the issues affecting working people. Find more information and apply here.

Since 1958, the UFCW Charity Foundation has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships to members and their families. Past winners have gone on to make significant contributions to society in areas like the law, public service, medicine, business and teaching. Many have returned to UFCW as staffers, organizers and community activists who advance our values and mission. Six scholarships worth up to $8,000 each are awarded annually to students who have graduated from high school, have their GED, or will be graduating this spring. Find more information here. Apply here.

Named in honour of three past leaders of UFCW Canada – William Beggs, Fred Dowling, and Roméo Mathieu – this scholarship supports members and their families pursuing full-time studies at an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada. This link highlights the BDM and UFCW International scholarship, plus other Locals across Canada. You don’t need to be an A+ student – you just need a passion for learning! Eighteen scholarships worth $1000 each are allocated by region across Canada annually. Find more information here. Apply here.

The Overwaitea Food Group offers this scholarship to all Canadian citizens in communities served by UFCW 1518 members and the OFG, at any stage of their post-secondary education. Successful applicants demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to diversity awareness in their schools and communities. Up to 10 scholarships worth $1000 each are awarded annually. Apply here.

Founded on the belief that we are stronger together, this scholarship supports respectful and positive work environments by promoting diversity awareness. Successful applicants demonstrate their commitment to developing strong, healthy and mutually beneficial relationships with the diverse communities we serve. It is open to UFCW 1518 members with at least one year of service with Overwaitea Food Group, and their dependents, who are pursuing a post-secondary program.

Up to 10 scholarships worth $1000 each are awarded annually. Find more information on the Team Member Information Site.

Almost every sector that UFCW Canada members work in – from food retail to health care to warehousing – requires math skills. This course will help you strengthen your math skills and feel more confident in your ability to perform everyday arithmetic. Find more information and register here.

This course focuses on the areas foundational to everyday work in most pharmacies. You will learn the difference between important versus urgent, effective versus efficient, the importance of priorities, methods of receiving prescriptions, measuring/converting/calculations, directions/dispensing, and the various drug plans that exist. Watch a preview of the course. Find more information and register here.

The skills required to be an effective Pharmacy Assistant include a basic knowledge of mathematics, computers and reading comprehension. This course introduces you to the code of ethics, the three drug schedules, and the importance of confidentiality. Watch a preview of the course. Find more information and register here.