Intent

To outline the competencies payable and associated process for the payment of the Competency Pay for Tradespersons.

Scope

This policy applies only to those persons employed by the University in a tradesperson position.

Definitions

Tradesperson – a person who holds a recognised trade based qualification and uses that trade qualification in their position.

Policy and Procedures

1. Eligibility

Employees will be eligible to receive one of two competency pay annual allowances conditional upon the following criteria:

The employee has successfully completed an AQF recognised course of study or industry recognised or work related training course, which is in addition to their trade qualification and is deemed by the Manager/Director/College Dean of the relevant work area to be directly related to their current or future duties and is or will be utilised by the employee in the course of their work.

Employees must obtain approval in writing from the Manager/Director/College Dean of the relevant area, prior to any study or training course commencing.

Employees undertaking a recognised course of study will be entitled to apply for study assistance in accordance with the University's Staff Study Assistance Scheme.

2.  Entitlement

Eligible employees shall be entitled to one of the following two annual allowances as under:

i.  AQF Recognised course study allowance

An annual allowance of $2,500.00 will be paid to an employee where they already hold or have successfully completed a recognised course of study, as detailed in clause 3, that is in addition to their trade qualification; or

ii.  Further work related training allowance

An annual allowance of $500 per competency up to a maximum of five (5) competencies will be paid to an employee where they already hold or successfully complete further work related training in their trade area, which is directly relevant to the employee’s duties, and is or can be utilised by the employee in their course of work and has been agreed to by the Director/College Dean of the relevant work area.

The allowances are only applicable from the date of operation of the Agreement and will not be paid retrospectively.

3.  Recognised Qualifications

Below is a list of recognised qualifications for each of the trade categories. This list is not exhaustive and may be altered or expanded by agreement with management from time to time.

4.  JCU Commitment to training – industry recognised training course

Where an employee does not currently have the required competencies to receive the maximum allowance of $2500 per annum, JCU agrees to provide the opportunity for the employee to achieve at least one qualification per year.

5.  Currency/Upgrading of qualifications

It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the currency of any agreed qualifications and or upgrade any qualifications as required by the recognised certifying body from time.

If any qualification/s lapse without good cause payment of the applicable allowance will cease.

6.  Payment of the allowance

The applicable allowance will be paid fortnightly following approval on the appropriate form.

7.  Professional Development

Other professional development undertaken in the normal course of employment with the University will not attract this allowance. Professional Development may include: computer skills, first aid, performance management training, occupational health and safety, resuscitation.

8.  Recognition of other qualification:

Employees who consider they have a qualification that should be recognised should contact their supervisor/manager in writing detailing the qualification and how the qualification is used or can be used in their position and provide a certified copy of the qualification.  Employees will be notified in writing as to whether the qualification is an accepted qualification.

9.  Obtaining qualifications

Employees who wish to attain/study a qualification are to discuss their request with their Manager/Director/College Dean stating the reason for wishing to obtain/study the qualification and how it can be utilised in their position and or for the benefit of JCU.

Related documents and legislation

Human Resources Delegation Policy

Staff Study Assistance Scheme Policy

Tradespersons Competency Pay Application Form

Administration

Approval Details

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Modification History

NOTE: A minor amendment will not result in a change of the next major review date.

Approval date - the date the approval authority approved the establishment, minor or major amendment or disestablishment

Implementation Date - the date the policy was published in the Policy Library and is the date the policy takes effect