TRAINING AND RELATED MATTERS The parties recognise that in order to increase the efficiency and productivity of the company a significant commitment to structured training and skill development is required. Accordingly the parties commit themselves to:
a) The parties to this Agreement recognise the importance of the apprenticeship system to the construction industry. It is agreed that every employer party to this Agreement who employs five (5) or more tradespersons in any one classification shall undertake to employ at least one (1) apprentice or make arrangements to host an apprentice from an agreed group apprenticeship scheme. Where an employer does not currently have an apprentice as per this provision, reasonable time shall be allowed to enable the employer to comply with this clause. Further, the parties are committed to a strong ratio of apprentices in the industry. Apprenticeship levels on a specific project may be discussed at the Project Pre-Commencement Conference (refer Clause 16).
b) Providing employees with the opportunity to acquire additional skills within relevant career path structures through appropriate structured training based on nationally endorsed (i.e. Construction Training Australia endorsed) competency standards and curriculum;
c) Actively encouraging employees to seek formal recognition of their skills (i.e. recognition of prior learning); and
d) Using training providers accredited and acceptable to the parties. The CFMEU, MBAV and other employer associations are legitimately engaged in providing training to industry and it is hereby agreed that all parties will properly recognise and accept the validity of nationally accredited training as provided by the other parties.
e) The parties will consult on the development of training programs which are consistent with the following: • Training provided will be consistent with the company’s business requirements, relevant to the work of the employees, consistent with the skills development of each employee and with applicable national competency standards. • Training may be taken either on or off the job with all reasonable steps being taken to conduct training in normal working hours. • If an approved training activity is undertaken during ordinary working hours, the employee/s concerned shall not suffer any loss of pay. • Approved training activities undertaken outside of ordinary hours will be paid at single time or will, at the employee’s option, be taken as time off in lieu of payment. Provided that the scheduling of time off must be consistent with the needs of the business and be by agreement with the company. • Training costs of courses approved by the company will be met by the company. • The company will not be asked to meet the costs of training undertaken by employees which was not approved by the company. • Leave of absence granted pursuant to this clause shall count as service for all purposes of the award and this agreement. • Accredited members of the union will be allowed up to 5 days per year, without loss of pay, to attend trade union educational courses conducted or approved by the union. (see appendix H)
f) The parties to this Agreement recognise the importance of the role that Apprentices/Trainees fulfill within the industry and, more importantly, a role that they will fulfill as trades persons following the conclusion of the indentures. To this end the Victorian Building Industry Consultative Committee will investigate ways of enhancing employment prospects for Apprentice/Trainees. In addition it is agreed that, where appropriate, employers will use their best endeavours to employ Apprentices/Trainees in order to ensure appropriate trade persons levels for the future.
Title and Related Matters IACH has good and marketable title to all of its properties, inventory, interest in properties, and assets, real and personal, which are reflected in the most recent IACH balance sheet or acquired after that date (except properties, inventory, interest in properties, and assets sold or otherwise disposed of since such date in the ordinary course of business), free and clear of all liens, pledges, charges, or encumbrances except (a) statutory liens or claims not yet delinquent; (b) such imperfections of title and easements as do not and will not materially detract from or interfere with the present or proposed use of the properties subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair present business operations on such properties; and (c) as described in the IACH Schedules. Except as set forth in the IACH Schedules, IACH owns, free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances, royalty interests, or other restrictions or limitations of any nature whatsoever, any and all products it is currently manufacturing, including the underlying technology and data, and all procedures, techniques, marketing plans, business plans, methods of management, or other information utilized in connection with IACH'S business. Except as set forth in the IACH Schedules, no third party has any right to, and IACH has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any product, technology, data, trade secrets, know-how, propriety techniques, trademarks, service marks, trade names, or copyrights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition, income, or business prospects of IACH or any material portion of its properties, assets, or rights.
