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:
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:
For more information, visit opencirclebenefits.ca
The OpenCircle Scholarship offers financial assistance to the dependents of OpenCircle Member employees pursuing post-secondary education or apprenticeship technical training.
The scholarship application period for the 2022-2023 academic calendar is now closed.
Application intake for the 2023-2024 academic calendar will be opening later in the 2023 calendar year. Please stay tuned for more information, or email our team at scholarship@opencircle.ca for more information.
Whether at work or in the community, we believe in the power of people. That’s why OpenCircle continuously invests in the places our Members call home. Through scholarships and awards, over $20 million has been awarded to the next generation of Canada’s workforce.
Our passionate employees work for change. When they fundraise for causes close to their hearts, we match every dollar. It’s all part of how we empower others to be their best selves.
OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund Program reimburses tuition fees for Hour Bank employees of Member companies who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and then return to work for an OpenCircle Member company (if applicable in your province). The refund can be issued to either individual Member employees or directly to the Member employer if the company paid for the employee’s tuition.
We believe it’s essential to support the education of the next generation.
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:
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:
Manitoba Guidelines:
Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:
Ontario Guidelines:
Within six months from the date on the employee’s Certificate of Qualification stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:
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:
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.
Celebrating High School Achievement in the Trades
OpenCircle’s Youth Skilled Trades Award (YST) previously the CTS award, is an annual prize that recognizes individual achievement and promotes trades as a career while partnering education with industry. The award encourages high school students with an expressed interest in trades to continue their studies. More than 125 high schools nominate students every year for this $300 award.
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.
Nomination intake: September 1, 2023 — Nomination deadline: April 2, 2024
Note: Incomplete nomination forms will not be considered.
OpenCircle has partnered with numerous vendors and service-providers to give our Members and their employees access to exclusive deals and discounts. For further inquiries, send an email to rewards@opencircle.ca.
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!
Through TELUS Health, we offer a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) exclusively for OpenCircle Members and their employees. The RRSP matching option, lower fees, and access to essential retirement planning resources help your employees reach their retirement goals.