AT828612 - Transport Workers’ (Virgin Tech) Award 2003 [Transitional]
40. APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING
40.1 Apprenticeships
40.1.1 Cancellation or suspension of indenture
An apprenticeship may be cancelled or suspended only in accordance with the requirements of the contract of apprenticeship or training agreement and the requirements of State legislation and the Apprenticeship Authority.
40.1.2 Period of apprenticeship
The period of apprenticeship will be four years.
40.1.3 Probationary period
Juniors may be taken on probation for three months and if apprenticed such three months will count as part of their period of apprenticeship. In New South Wales and Victoria Virgin Tech will within fourteen days of employing a probationer notify the appropriate apprenticeship authorities of the employment of a probationer.
40.1.4 Wages
40.1.4(a) The minimum weekly rates of wages for apprentices will be a percentage of the ordinary weekly wage rate prescribed in 11.4 for an unlicensed engineer or tradesperson on commencement and tool allowance where applicable.
% | |
First year |
42 |
Second year |
55 |
Third year |
75 |
Fourth year |
88 |
40.1.4(b) The total wages of apprentices will be calculated to the nearest ten cents.
40.1.4(c) An employee who is under 21 years of age on the expiration of the employee’s apprenticeship and thereafter works as a junior in the occupation to which the employee has been apprenticed will be paid at not less than the adult rate prescribed for that classification.
40.1.5 Overtime and shift work
No apprentice under the age of eighteen years will be required to work overtime or shift work at times which would prevent the employee’s attendance at technical school as required by any statute, award or regulation applicable.
40.1.6 Payment by results
An apprentice will not work under any system of payment by results.
40.1.7 Lost time
The apprentice at the end of the calendar period of any year in which the employee has actually given service to Virgin Tech:
will, for every day short of the said number of working days, and for every day of such absences, serve one day, and the calendar period of the succeeding year or the employee’s service will not be deemed to begin until the said additional day or days have been served. In calculating the extra time to be so served the apprentice will be credited with time which the employee has worked during the relevant year in excess of the employee’s ordinary hours.
40.1.8 Attendance at technical schools
Apprentices attending technical colleges or schools and presenting reports of satisfactory conduct will be reimbursed all fees paid by them.
40.1.9 Operation of State laws
40.1.9(a) In any State in which any statute relating to apprentices is, or will be, in force; or in which any authority with statutory power has, or may, issue any regulation relating to apprentices, these statutes or regulations will operate in these States. Provided that the provisions are not inconsistent with this award.
40.1.9(b) The provisions of any statute, award or regulation relating to the attendance of apprentices at technical school during ordinary working hours; or to disciplinary powers of apprenticeship authorities over apprentices and employers, will not be deemed to be inconsistent with this award.
40.2 Training provisions
40.2.1 Employees may be required to undertake additional training for the purposes of attending examinations conducted by Virgin Tech and the examinations are required to facilitate the implementation of the classification structure in this award and/or CASA requirements, where the latter is approved by Virgin Tech in advance. If the training is undertaken during ordinary working hours the employee concerned shall not suffer any loss of pay.
40.2.2 Where an employee is required by Virgin Tech to travel to and from engineering school, time spent travelling on rostered days off, Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays will be paid for at the appropriate penalty rate for a minimum of four hours.
40.2.3 An employee will not be required to attend for duty on any night shift which immediately precedes an examination. However, the LAME undergoing examinations may be required to accept a shift change to enable this provision to be effective.
40.2.4 An employee who is required by Virgin Tech to attend a training course (including the gaining of experience) in Australia or overseas will be paid at the ordinary time rate of pay for the actual time of attendance at the training course, to a maximum of eight hours per day.
40.2.5 Travel costs incurred by an employee undertaking training in accordance with this clause which exceeds those normally incurred in travelling to and from work shall be reimbursed by Virgin Tech.
