AN120154 – Concrete Pipe and Concrete Products Factories Consolidated (State) Award
(a) The parties to this award recognise that in order to increase the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of industry, a greater commitment to training and skill development is required. Accordingly, the parties commit themselves to:
(i) developing a more highly skilled and flexible workforce;
(ii) providing employees with career opportunities through appropriate skills; and
(iii) removing barriers to the utilisation of skills acquired.
(b) Following proper consultation with employees, the employer shall develop a training programme consistent with:
(i) the current and future skill needs of the operations of the plant or enterprise;
(ii) the size, structure, and nature of the operations of the plant or enterprise;
(iii) the need to develop vocational skills relevant to the plant or enterprise through courses conducted on the job or by accredited institutions and providers.
(c)
(i) Where, arising from the training programme developed in subclause (b) of this clause, the employer determines that an employee should undertake additional training, that training may be undertaken either on or off the job. Provided that if the training is undertaken during ordinary working hours the employee concerned shall not suffer any loss of ordinary pay. The employer shall not unreasonably withhold such paid training leave.
(ii) Any costs associated with standard fees for prescribed courses and prescribed textbooks (excluding those textbooks which are available in the employer's technical library) incurred in connection with the undertaking of training shall be reimbursed by the employer upon production of evidence of such expenditure. Provided that reimbursement shall also be on an annual basis, subject to the presentation of satisfactory progress reports.
(iii) Travel costs incurred by an employee undertaking training in accordance with this clause, which exceed those normally incurred travelling to an from work, shall be reimbursed by the employer.
(d) The parties to this award agree that reclassification will only occur where the employee involved has the training and experience necessary to perform the full range of functions comprehended by the new classification and is required to exercise them in the course of employment.
