Know your TAFE working conditions: PD
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 126 No 7, 8 October 2021, page no.22
Earlier this year, the QTU surveyed TAFE Division members on access and types of professional development approved by managers. The results indicate that the majority of educators are not accessing their entitlement to a minimum of 10 days of professional development.
Over recent years, the ratio of about 40:60 holds, that is, less than half of the survey respondents are receiving their PD entitlements. The QTU’s TAFE Executive has therefore called for the development of “Know your TAFE working conditions” materials specific to PD.
Here are 10 points about your TAFE working conditions, relevant to professional development.
- Clause 1.16 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 mandates RTOs to ensure that all trainers and assessors undertake professional development in the fields of the knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment, including competency-based training and assessment.
- The TAFE Queensland Award – State 2016, agreed to by the parties five years ago, recognised that “a greater commitment to learning and development is required.”
- Under the award, “educators, excluding casual employees, are entitled to a minimum of 10 days’ paid professional development each year to engage in continuing professional development activities relevant to their role.”
- Under the award, “TAFE Queensland is committed to maintaining professional development at two and one-half per cent of payroll.”
- Under the award, “each region will have a professional development committee.”
- Under the award, “a minimum of half a day of professional development will be taken at any one time.”
- The parties agree that “learning and development provided should assist employees in obtaining accredited competencies, knowledge and skills.”
- Types of professional development include, but are not limited to:
- formal study in a recognised course
- attendance at a workshop, seminar or conference
- release to industry
- other formal skill formation processes.
- Professional development will be differentiated from the normal programmed duties of educators, including:
- moderation and validation
- engagement in extra-curricular activities
- participation in routine core business meetings, planning and preparation
- non-attendance time
- mandatory staff training.
The parties agree that educators have an obligation as TAFE Queensland employees to undertake and complete all necessary mandatory training (for example Code of Conduct induction or refresher training).