Member Services

Designed exclusively for the unique needs of hourly workers, the Hour Bank Benefit Plan is portable between all OpenCircle Member organizations across Canada.

Designed for office and administration staff, the Office Supervisory Benefit Plan operates like a traditional benefit plan and provides identical coverages to those available under the Hour Bank Benefit Plan.

Available to retired employees between ages 55 and 89, the Retiree Benefit Plan offers flexible coverage options with no medical underwriting required, ensuring coverage will continue well into retirement.

Contact us for more information on:

• Participation criteria
• Coverage summaries and benefit booklet
• Rates

The OpenCircle Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Benefit Plans include a comprehensive selection of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance benefits. However, employees may wish to enhance their existing benefits or add additional coverage on an individual basis.

The following Optional Benefits are available to existing Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Plan participants. Please contact us for more information on:

• Optional Life Insurance
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Optional Critical Illness Insurance

For more information, visit opencirclebenefits.ca

• The Tuition Refund Program reimburses tuition fees for field employees (Members of Hour Bank Benefit Plan) of OpenCircle Member companies
• Applicants must successfully complete the apprenticeship training period at a publicly funded training facility
• Applicants must return to work full-time for an OpenCircle Member company and work a minimum of 150 hours (approximately one month)
• Employees who begin training immediately upon hire will be reimbursed after completion of the training period and once they have worked a minimum of 300 hours (approximately two months)
• Employees who choose to work through school training will be reimbursed, if required hours have been achieved upon completion of the course
• An employee leaving an OpenCircle Member company will be eligible for a tuition refund if they find work with another OpenCircle Member company and meet all other criteria within six months of course completion
• Membership firms that pay for an employee may also be reimbursed
• Weekly tuition fee is multiplied by number of technical training weeks to equal the amount of OpenCircle’s tuition refund – program applies to each period of technical training
• OpenCircle’s tuition refund must be included in your annual tax return as taxable income
• A T4A will be mailed to you to support the amount of the refund received

Alberta Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s letter from the Alberta Apprenticeship Board stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Alberta Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Alberta Apprenticeship Board Letter

British Columbia Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete British Columbia Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Proof of Payment

Manitoba Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Manitoba Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Marks from your institute of training

Ontario Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Certificate of Qualification stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Ontario Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Certificate of Qualification
• Marks from Ontario apprenticeship board
• Proof of Payment/Receipt

Saskatchewan Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Saskatchewan Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Marks from your institute of training

Nova Scotia Guidelines:

**Please Note** Open Circle does not provide tuition refund for apprentices who work in and complete schooling in Nova Scotia. Costs for Tuition Trade fees are covered by the government of Nova Scotia.

 Do I have to wait until I have worked 150 hours before sending the claim form and supporting documents?
No, you can send the form and documents in before. We will track the hours your company reports for your benefits.

Is there a time limit to send in the claim form?
Yes. We must receive the claim form, supporting documents and you must have worked 150 hours with an OpenCircle company within six months of the completion date on your Proof of Completion.

I have banked hours from before I attended school. Will these count for the 150 hours?
No, we require that you work with an OpenCircle Member after completing and passing your course.

Can I email my claim and documents?
Yes, you can email your documents to tuition@opencircle.ca

I emailed my application in four weeks ago. Why haven’t I received a cheque yet?
Our process takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete. We process the refunds in the order they are received. We also need to verify the correct paperwork is attached and all hours are worked.

Who can apply for the tuition refund?
The Tuition Refund Program is available to OpenCircle Member employees in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

Who can I contact if I have questions?
You can email tuition@opencircle.ca with any questions you may have on the program.

• Student must be enrolled in their graduating year of high school
• Student must display high interest in skilled trades courses
• Student must demonstrate leadership in the classroom
• Student must exhibit a cooperative approach with fellow students and teachers

How much is the Youth Skilled Trades Award?
$300.

When do I apply for the Youth Skilled Trades Award (YST)?
Nomination intake begins September 1, 2023. The nomination submission deadline is April 2, 2024.

How do schools nominate a student for the Youth Skilled Trades Award?
The school nominates the chosen student for the award by completing the application form found on the OpenCircle website at opencircle.ca. Once completed, please email the required documents to awards@opencircle.ca.

How do I know if my school is eligible to apply for the Youth Skilled Trades Award?
All schools in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia are eligible to apply for the Youth Skilled Trades Award.

Does the student need to be in a trades program to receive the Youth Skilled Trades Award?
Yes, students who have been chosen should be enrolled in a trade program for the school to apply for the Youth Skilled Trades Award for their school.

Does it matter what grade the student is currently enrolled in?
Yes, the student should be enrolled in their graduating year of high school to be eligible for the Youth Skilled Trades Award for that year.

Can our school nominate a student every year for the award?
Yes, you can apply every year for one of your students to receive the OpenCircle Youth Skilled Trades Award.

Can the school send in a nomination for more than one student per year?
No, one student per school can be nominated for the Youth Skilled Trades Award.

When will the school find out if their student will be a recipient of the OpenCircle Youth Skilled Trades Award?
Successful school nominations will be notified via email by the end of April 2024.

What do I write in the “Why the student is being recognized” section?
 Tell us how the student has excelled in their trade or made a difference in the class to make them stand out in accordance with the eligibility criteria for the award.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Please email us at awards@opencircle.ca with any questions you have.

This award is not necessarily awarded based on academic standing. The award recipients are selected through a lottery system as the number of awards is limited per province.

Each school is required to submit the following to awards@opencircle.ca.

1. Completed and signed nomination form.
2. Successful applicants will be required to provide a photo of the student for publication on OpenCircle’s communication channels.

Nomination intake: September 1, 2023 — Nomination deadline: April 2, 2024

Note: Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.

OpenCircle has partnered with Choice Hotels to offer our Members terrific discounts on more than 7,400 properties across 22 brands in 45 countries and territories. Members can also enroll in Choice Privileges to earn and redeem points for free night stays, gift cards, exclusive experiences, and more.

Choice Hotels is currently offering a 1,000-point sign-up bonus for those new to the Choice Privileges program. To register, click here.

If you’re ready to book your stay, click here.

At Fountain Tire, Members and their employees can enjoy discounts on purchase of tires, automotive parts and other tire services.

OpenCircle members will be eligible for exclusive membership packages at GoodLife Fitness. Members and their employees receive a significant discount on membership packages.

Members will enjoy discounts on all kinds of lien services available in Canada — be it online lien filing and searches, builders’ liens, oil and gas liens, mechanics’ liens or more.
Lien-Pro also offers Lien Protection Plans with tools to track and file a lien and other advanced features.

Receive discounts off regular retail prices on all of Mark’s products, including industrial and casual apparel, footwear and accessories, with your OpenCircle membership.

OpenCircle has partnered with Staples to bring its members great discounts on online purchases, including next-day delivery.

Our partnership with TELUS Health allows our Members to access hundreds of exclusive offers for everyday living! Perks include discounts in everything from home meal delivery service, computer purchases, clothing, fishing equipment, to on-line tax filing!