CFMEU :: Forestry Division

CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION NATIONAL DIVISIONAL POLICY ON ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY AND NUMERACY TRAINING ENDORSED BY NATIONAL DIVISIONAL EXECUTIVE 27TH July 1993 REVISED 25TH April, 1994 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY AND NUMERACY TRAINING POLICY This document sets out the Policy of the CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION on English Language Literacy and Numeracy Training and associated activities for the information of members, Representatives and Officials. Included with the Policy is an introduction, which provides a background for the reading and application of the Policy. This Policy is binding on all CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION Members, Representatives and Officials. Any queries about the Policy should be directed to either the Branch or Divisional Office. 1. INTRODUCTION The improvement of English Language Literacy and Numeracy skills amongst all workers in the Forest and Furnishing Products industry is a basic requirement for the success of industry through workplace reforms. Reforms include Award restructuring' multiskilling, more efficient work practices, vocational training, enterprise bargaining and consultative processes necessitating increased basic language, literacy and numeracy skills. The Forest and Furnishing Products Division recognises the importance of basic skills in English language literacy and numeracy. Improving basic skills will assist in breaking down barriers presently facing workers. These include: Improved Occupational Health and Safety performance; Establishing effective consultative mechanisms; Enabling all workers to progress to higher level jobs; Enabling all workers to participate fully in workplace and vocational training; Enabling all workers to participate fully in all workplace activities such as meetings and consultation. Furthermore implementation of reforms in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry require a focussed approach and commitment to basic skills training from employers and members. Basic skills training is essential in progressing current and future workplace reforms including: Implementation of the skills based grade structure, requiring acquisition of skills in order to progress forward in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry; Multiskilling; Equal Opportunity to participate in consultative processes at the enterprise;� Implementing and improving Occupational Health and Safety standards; Participating in 'quality' issues through consultative mechanisms; Contributing to the formation of enterprise agreements; Participating in vocational and skills training. 2. AIMS OF THE POLICY The aims of this Policy are to: Ensure the Union is active at all levels in the promotion and implementation of English Language Literacy and Numeracy training strategies and associated activities; Ensure there is a national strategy for the development and coordination of English Language Literacy and Numeracy training and associated activities in the Forestry and Furnishing Products Industry; Provide a standard for negotiation of English Language Literacy and Numeracy training strategies and associated activities at the enterprise level; Raise awareness of the importance for developing strategies to address English Language Literacy and Numeracy requirements in the workplace. 3. POLICY DETAILS 3.1. DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY A National Strategy for the implementation of English Language Literacy and Numeracy training is being developed for the Forestry and Furnishing Products Industry. This strategy will be based on an analysis of industry needs. It will cover such matters as implementation of training in different sectors of the industry, links with wider training reform initiatives, promotion of the need for training, selection of appropriate training provider's etc. The strategy will be developed by the National Forest Industries Training Council with the involvement of the industrial parties. 3.2 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY AND NUMERACY AND INDUSTRY COMPETENCY STANDARDS. Units and elements of competence for English Language Literacy and Numeracy will at a later time be included in industry competency standards. The Division opposes these being included at the present time due to the potential for misuse by employers who may discriminate against workers who have demonstrated their ability to perform a job but are unable to meet the specific level of language, literacy and numeracy competencies stated. The Division will ensure members who do not satisfy English Language Literacy and Numeracy competency standards will not be discriminated against. 3.3 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY AND NUMERACY TRAINING IN THE WORKPLACE ROLE OF THE ENTERPRISE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE The Enterprise Consultative Committee (ECC) will be the forum where any initiatives or recommendations on English Language Literacy and Numeracy training and activities will be discussed and negotiated between the employer and the Union. SUB COMMITTEE In most instances the ECC will form a Sub-Committee to deal with English Language Literacy and Numeracy training. Where a Sub-Committee is formed it will in the first instance be responsible for all English Language Literacy and numeracy issues and will report regularly to the ECC. The Sub-Committee may comprise of: Union representation (may be an ECC rep. also) Up to equal management representation An agreed training provider 3.4 BUDGET An annual budget will be allocated to English Language Literacy and Numeracy training for the enterprise. This budget is to be discussed and agreed in the ECC. Regular reports are to be provided to the ECC on expenditure in relation to the budget. 3.5 SELECTION OF TRAINING PROVIDER The training provider is to be agreed by the ECC after joint consideration with the Sub-Committee, of proposals as in the paragraph on reporting below. The training provider must have an understanding of the aims and processes of Award restructuring and be willing and able to consult effectively with Unions. 3.6 INFORMATION Information sessions on the availability of English Language Literacy and Numeracy training are to be held in the workplace for all workers. These sessions will include information on the conditions for training � those provided for in the Award and any above-Award conditions. Information sessions are to be conducted in languages other than English as needed. 3.7 NEEDS IDENTIFICATION Identification of training needs is to be based on the National English language literacy and numeracy competencies which are needed to perform work competently and safely and to participate effectively in any vocational training. When National Industry Competency Standards are established for English language literacy and numeracy these will be used as the basis for needs identification. A process for identifying needs will be developed by the training provider and endorsed by the ECC before needs identification starts. 3.8 EQUAL ACCESS Access to English language literacy and numeracy training must be equal for all workers. 3.9 REPORTING FUNCTIONS OF THE TRAINING PROVIDER The training provider is to submit plans for all activities to the English language literacy and numeracy Sub-Committee. The training provider should not start training until plans have been endorsed by the Sub-Committee and the ECC. Information to be considered by the Sub-Committee and the ECC will include: Needs identification process; Information process; Aims and objectives for the programme; Costing for the programme; Evaluation process for the programme; Regular reports on progress and problems should, in the instance, be made by the provider to the English language literacy and numeracy Sub-Committee and then by the Sub-Committee to the ECC. 3.10 CONFIDENTIALITY All information relating to individuals gathered during needs identification, training and evaluation is to remain confidential. NO information relating to individuals is to be placed in personnel records except to record attainment of units of competency in relation to industry competency standards. Individuals are to have access to any information gathered about themselves. 3.11 NO DISADVANTAGE No person is to be disadvantaged in any way if it is identified that they do not meet the standards identified for English language literacy and numeracy competencies. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY 4.1 NATIONAL DIVISIONAL OFFICE The National Divisional Office is responsible for: Having conditions relating to English language literacy and numeracy training included in the Federal Timber Industry Award and other Awards for which it is responsible; Input of the Division to the development of a National strategy for English language literacy and numeracy training in the Forest and Furnishing Products Industry; Input to industry competency standards relating to English language literacy and numeracy skills. 4.2 BRANCHES Branches are responsible for: Ensuring State Industry Training Councils on which they are represented pursue initiatives in English language literacy and numeracy training as required by the National Strategy; Ensuring that English language literacy and numeracy training is set up in workplaces and works effectively in the interests of members. 4.3 REPRESENTATIVES AND MEMBERS Representatives and Members are responsible for: Informing the Branch office when action is required in their workplace on English language literacy and numeracy; Participating in activities of the English language literacy and numeracy Sub-Committee and the ECC relating to English language literacy and numeracy matters.