AN120332 – Mechanical Opticians (State) Award
(i) The parties to this award recognise that in order to increase the efficiency, productivity and international competitiveness of the optical industry, a greater commitment to training and skill development is required. Accordingly, the parties commit themselves to:
(a) developing a more highly skilled and flexible workforce.
(b) providing employees with career opportunities through appropriate training to acquire additional skills compatible with and portable within the optical industry.
(c) removing barriers to the utilisation of such skills acquired.
(ii) Following proper consultation in accordance with subclause (ii) of clause 14, Structural Efficiency, or through the establishment of a Training Committee, an employer should develop a training programme consistent with:
(a) the current and future skill needs of the laboratory or store;
(b) the size, structure and nature of the operations of the laboratory or store;
(c) the need to develop vocational skills relevant to the laboratory or store and the optical industry in general through courses conducted by accredited educational institutions and providers.
(iii) Where it is agreed a Training Committee be established that Training Committee should be constituted by equal numbers of employer and employee representatives and have a charter which clearly states its role and responsibilities, for example:
formulation of a training programme and availability of training courses and career opportunities employees;
dissemination of information on the training programme and availability of training courses and career opportunities to employees;
the recommending of individual employees for training and reclassification;
monitoring and advising management and employees on the on-going effectiveness of the training.
(iv) (a) Where, as a result of consultation in accordance with subclause (ii) or through a Training Committee and with the employee concerned, it is agreed that additional training in accordance with the programme developed pursuant to subclause (ii) herein should be undertaken by an employee, 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 pay. The employer shall not unreasonably withhold such paid training leave.
(b) Any costs associated with standard fees for prescribed courses and any prescribed 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 reports of satisfactory progress.
(c) Travel costs incurred by an employee undertaking training in accordance with this clause which exceed those normally incurred in travelling to and from work shall be reimbursed by the employer.
(v) Subclauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) herein shall operate as interim provisions and shall be reviewed after nine months' operation. In the meantime, the parties shall monitor the effectiveness of those interim provisions in encouraging the attainment of the objectives detailed in subclause (i) herein.
(vi) Any disputes arising in relation to subclauses (ii) and (iii) shall be resolved by consultation initially. If no agreement can be reached the matter will be referred to the Industrial Commission.
