AN160140 – Gate, Fence and Frames Manufacturing Award

THIRD SCHEDULE - NEW CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE AND DEFINITIONS

(1) The following classifications and definitions shall supersede Clause 17. - Definitions and subclause (1) of the First Schedule - Wages of this award. It is agreed by the parties to this award that the following classifications specify skill and training standards and broad areas of work. The definitions recognise national qualifications outlined by the Australian Council of Tertiary Awards and the standards set down by the National Metals and Engineering Skills Training Board on behalf of the National Training Board and recognised and accredited in Western Australia by the appropriate State Training Authority (i.e. SESDA, ITAC and TAFE).

(2) Classifications are based on the progressive acquisition of modules of skill and/or training and form the career path which determines the pay rate structure. Through the NMESTB (or SESDA when operative) and the training providers, appropriate credits or exemptions will be given for training already completed, or experience and skills already obtained.

(3) The structure recognises that credit for skill and formal training is transferable from one classification to the next. Reclassification on the basis of skills obtained through means other than training accredited by the National Training Board (or SESDA when operative) will be subject to the testing and competency standards set down by the NMESTB and recognised in Western Australia by the appropriate State Training Authority and shall be in accordance with the training clause contained in this award.

(4) Transition/Implementation Period and Arrangements -

(a) Duration

It is agreed between the parties that a transition/implementation period shall operate from the first pay period to commence on or after 9 December 1991 until the first pay period beginning on or after 9 May 1992.

(b) Objective

The objective of this transition/implementation period is -

(i) To enable all parties to the award to familiarise themselves with the new wage classification and definition structure.

(ii) For each plant or establishment to apply (subject to the transitional arrangements below) the new wage, classification and definition structure set out in this Appendix in place of existing arrangements as defined in Clause 17. - Definitions and the First Schedule - Wages, subclause (1) classification and wage groups of this award.

(c) Transitional Arrangements

In order to assist an orderly transition, the following arrangements shall apply -

(i) From the first pay period commencing on or after 9 December 1991 an employee's new wage group shall be determined in accordance with subclause (1) of the First Schedule - Wages of this award.

(ii) Upon agreed transition to the new classification structure, employees will perform work in accordance with the new classification and definitions set out in this Schedule in lieu of definitions currently set out in Clause 17. - Definitions of this award.

(iii) Any disputes in relation to the transition/implementation of the new wage, classification and definition structure shall be handled in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Clause 29. - Avoidance of Industrial Disputes of this award.

(iv) Wage increases arising from broadbanding and adjustment of minimum rates are subject to absorption into existing over-award payments.

(d) Reclassification will be according to the following principles -

(i) Employees will transfer to the new classification structure without loss of pay in accordance with a schedule agreed between the parties which will "line-up" the old classifications with the new levels.

(ii) Reclassification to any higher level shall be contingent upon such additional work being available and required to be performed by the employer.

(iii) In the event that there is a claim for reclassification by an existing employee to a higher level under the new structure on the ground that the employee possesses equivalent skill and knowledge gained through on-the-job experience or on any other ground the following principles apply -

(aa) The parties agree that the existing award disputes avoidance procedure shall be followed.

(bb) Agreed competency standards shall be established by the parties in conjunction with TAFE (and SESDA when operative) for all levels in the new classification structure before any claims for reclassification are processed and shall be incorporated in the Implementation Manual as they become available.

(cc) The Implementation Manual shall lay down procedures for testing the validity of an employee's claim for reclassification. These procedures shall be undertaken by an independent third party recognised by SESDA (when established) and/or the National Training Board, e.g. TAFE.

(e) Review

(i) Prior to the expiration of the six month period, the parties at the industry level will consult with their respective members and make any changes to the classification structure as they may be advised.

(ii) At the expiration of the six month period, employers will be required to have completed the transitional phase.

(iii) The parties are committed to modernising the terms of the award and to addressing the issues associated with training with a view to finalising these matters by 9 May 1992.

DEFINITIONS

Wage Group Level 8 (C 14)

Trainee/Manufacturing Employee - Level 5

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - ..%)

A Manufacturing Employee Level 5 is an employee undertaking up to 38 hours' induction training which may include information on the enterprise, conditions of employment, introduction to supervisors and fellow employees, training and career path opportunities, plant lay-out, work and documentation procedures, occupational health and safety, equal employment opportunities and quality control/assurance.

An employee at this level performs routine duties essentially of a manual nature and to the level of their training -

(i) performs general labouring and cleaning duties;

(ii) exercises minimal judgement;

(iii) works under direct supervision; or

(iv) in the case of a trainee, is undertaking structured training so as to enable them to work at Level 7.

Wage Group Level 7 (C 13)

Manufacturing Employee - Level 4

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 82%)

A Manufacturing Employee Level 7 is an employee who has completed up to three months' structured training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level.

At this level an employee performs work above and beyond the skills of an employee at Level 8 and to the level of their training -

(i) Works under direct supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

(ii) Understands and undertakes basic quality control/assurance procedures including the ability to recognise basic quality deviations and faults.

(iii) Understands and utilises basic statistical process control procedures.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following -

• repetitive work on automatic, semi-automatic or single purpose machines or equipment;
• assembles components using basic written, spoken and/or diagrammatic instructions in an assembly environment;
• basic soldering or butt and spot welding skills or cutting scrap with oxy-acetylene blow pipe;
• uses selected hand tools;
• maintains simple records;
• uses hand trolleys and pallet trucks; and
• assists in the provision of on-the-job training in conjunction with tradespersons and supervisor/trainers.

Wage Group Level 6 (C 12)

Manufacturing Employee - Level 3

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - ..%)

A Manufacturing Employee Level 3 is an employee who has completed a Production/Engineering Certificate I or equivalent training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level.

An employee at this level performs work above and beyond the skills of an employee at Level 7 and to the level of their training -

(i) Is responsible for the quality of their own work, subject to routine supervision.

(ii) Works under routine supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

(iii) Exercises discretion within their level of skills and training.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following -

• operates flexibly between assembly stations;
• operates machinery and equipment requiring the exercise of skill and knowledge beyond that of an employee at Level 7;
• non-trade engineering skills;
• basic tracing and sketching skills;
• receiving, despatching, distributing, sorting, checking, packing (other than repetitive packing in a standard container or containers in which such goods are ordinarily sold), documenting and recording of goods, materials and components;
• inventory control in the context of a production process;
• basic keyboard skills;
• advanced soldering techniques;
• operation of mobile equipment including forklifts, hand trolleys, pallet trucks, overhead cranes and winch operation;

• ability to measure accurately;
• assists one or more tradespersons; and

• welding which requires the exercise of knowledge and skills above Level 7.

Wage Group Level 5 (C 11)

Manufacturing Employee - Level 2

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 92.4%)

A Manufacturing Employee Level 2 is and employee who has completed a Production/Engineering Certificate II or equivalent training so as to enable the employee to perform work within the scope of this level.

At this level an employee performs work above and beyond the skills of an employee at Level 6 and to the level of their training -

(i) Works from complex instructions and procedures.

(ii) Assists in the provision of on-the-job training to a limited degree.

(iii) Co-ordinates work in a team environment or works individually under general supervision.

(iv) Is responsible for assuring the quality of their own work.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following -

• uses precision measuring instruments;
• machine setting, loading and operation;
• rigging (certificated);
• inventory and store control, including -

• licensed operation of all appropriate materials handling equipment;
• use of tools and equipment within the scope of (basic non-trades) maintenance;
• computer operation at a level higher than that of an employee at Level 6;

• intermediate keyboard skills;
• basic engineering and fault-finding skills;
• basic quality checks on the work of others;
• is licensed and certified for forklift, engine driving and crane driving operations to a level higher than Level 6;
• has a knowledge of the employer's operations as it relates to production processes;
• lubricates production machinery equipment; and
• assists in the provision of on-the-job training in conjunction with tradespersons and supervisor/trainers.

Wage Group Level 4 (C 10)

Manufacturing Employee Level 1

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 100%)

A Manufacturing Employee Level 1 is an employee who, while still being primarily engaged in manufacturing work applies the skills acquired through the successful completion of a trade certificate level qualification in the production, distribution, or stores functions according to the needs of the enterprise.

A Manufacturing Employee Level 1 works above and beyond an employee at Level 2 and to the level of their training -

(i) Understands and applies quality control techniques.

(ii) Exercises good interpersonal and communications skills.

(iii) Exercises keyboard skills at a level higher than Level 5.

(iv) Exercises discretion within the scope of this grade.

(v) Performs work under limited supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are the following -

• approves and passes first off samples and maintain quality of product;
• works from production drawings, prints or plans;
• operates, sets up and adjusts all production machinery in a plant, including production process welding to the extent of training;
• can perform a range of engineering maintenance functions including -

• removing equipment fastenings, including use of destructive cutting equipment;
• lubrication of production equipment;
• running adjustments to production equipment;
• operates all lifting equipment;

• basic production scheduling and materials handling within the scope of the production process or directly related functions within raw materials/finished goods locations in conjunction with technicians;
• understands an applies computer techniques relating to production process operations;
• high level stores and inventory responsibility beyond the requirements of an employee at Level 5;
• assists in the provision of on-the-job training in conjunction with tradespersons and trainers; and
• has a sound knowledge of the employer's operations as it relates to the production process.

Wage Group Level 3 (C 10)

Tradesperson Level 1

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 100%)

A tradesperson Level 1 is an employee who holds a Trade Certificate or Tradespersons Rights Certificate in one of the electrical/electronics, mechanical or fabrication engineering streams and is able to exercise the skills and knowledge of that trade.

A Tradesperson Level 1 works above and beyond an employee at Wage Group Level 4 and to the level of their training -

(i) Understands and applies quality control techniques.

(ii) Exercises good interpersonal communications skills.

(iii) Exercises keyboard skills at a level higher than an employee at Wage Group Level 3.

(iv) Exercises discretion within the scope of this grade.

(v) Performs work under general supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

(vi) Operates all lifting equipment incidental to their work.

(vii) Perform non-trade tasks incidental to their work.

(viii) Performs work which while primarily involving the skills of the employee's trade is incidental or peripheral to the primary task and facilitates the completion of the whole task. Such incidental or peripheral work would not require additional formal technical training.

(ix) Is able to inspect products and/or materials for conformity with established operational standards.

Wage Group Level 2 (C 9)

Tradesperson - Level 2

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 105%)

A Tradesperson - Level 2 is a -

• Tradesperson (Electrical/Electronic) - Level 2; or
• Tradesperson (Mechanical) - Level 2; or
• Tradesperson (Fabrication) - Level 2;

who has completed the following training requirement -

• 33% of the modules towards an appropriate Post Trade Certificate;

as prescribed in the Implementation Manual.

A Tradespersons Level 2 works above and beyond a Tradesperson Level 1 and to the level of their training -

(i) Exercises the skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training prescribed for this classification, subject to standards prescribed by the Implementation Manual.

(ii) Exercises discretion within the scope of this grade.

(iii) Works under general supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

(iv) Understands and implements quality control techniques.

(v) Provides trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team.

(vi) Exercises trade skills relevant to specific requirements of the enterprise at a level higher than Tradesperson Level 1.

Tasks which an employee at this level may perform are subject to the employee having the appropriate Trade and Post Trade Training to enable the particular tasks to be performed.

Wage Group Level 1 (C 8)

Tradesperson Level 3

(Relativity to Tradesperson's Rate of Pay - 110%)

A Tradesperson Level 3 means a tradesperson who has completed the following training requirement -

• 66% of the modules towards an appropriate Post Trade Certificate.

A Tradesperson Level 3 works above and beyond an employee at Level 1 and to the level of their training -

(i) Is able to exercise the skills attained through satisfactory completion of the training prescribed for this classification, subject to the standards prescribed by the Manual that forms Appendix X of this award.

(ii) Provides trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team.

(iii) Assists in the provision of training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers.

(iv) Understands and implements quality control techniques.

(v) Works under limited supervision, either individually or in a team environment.

(vi) Provides trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team.

Indicative of the tasks which an employee at this level may perform are as follows -

• exercises high precision trade skills using various materials and/or specialised techniques; and
• performs operations on a CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Drafting/Computing Aided Manufacturing) terminal in the performance of routine modifications to NC/CNC (Numerical Control/Computer Numeric Control) programmes.