THE PROGRAM
Organising Works is a traineeship program delivered by the ACTU Organising, Education and Campaign Centre (Organising Centre). The program aims to recruit people into unions and give them the skills and knowledge needed to become effective organisers. Utilising new and innovative approaches to organising, the program also seeks to assist unions across the movement to develop trained and competent staff, capable of delivering effective and sustained campaigns. The trainee’s primary role is to work at a grass-roots level recruiting and organising principally in non-union areas. The program has proven successful as a means of recruiting more women, young people and workers from diverse ethnic backgrounds into the union movement.
The Organising Works program incorporates the nationally accredited qualification BSB41807 Certificate IV in Unionism and Industrial Relations*.
THE PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Program Dates
There is only one intake per year. The next intake will commence in early 2009, in the following states (refer to Timetables 2009 for a full set of training dates in each State):
- NSW 23rd February, 2009
- VIC 2nd March, 2009
- QLD 9th March, 2009
- WA 9th March, 2009
Program Delivery
The program is delivered as a combination of supervised work experience, and nationally accredited structured training.
The program covers a broad range of topics, including: effective communication techniques; recruitment and development of activists; effective organising; planning; understanding the IR system; negotiations and bargaining; recruitment skills; time management; problem solving; and using Occupational Health and Safety as an effective tool in organising. Trainees are bound by a training agreement which requires them to participate in approved on-the-job training, and approved off-the-job training courses.
Work Experience & Mentors
Trainees are employed by a participating union. The trainee will spend most of their time working within that union, fulfilling the role as set out by the union. Trainees will gain on-the-job exposure to the skills, strategies and knowledge required to work effectively as a union organiser. Trainees are placed with a mentor within the host union, who will take responsibility for providing job support and guidance to the trainee.
Scheduled Training and Assessment
In addition, trainees must participate in the formal training sessions conducted by the Organising Centre. This training includes a 2 Day Induction Course, plus 10 x 3 Day Courses every 3 weeks, plus 2 x 5 Day Courses (one of which is a residential).
Training will be subject to formal assessment procedures. Trainees will be required to submit the prescribed assessment tasks to achieve competency in ten (10) Units of Competency. Trainees are assessed via a range of methods, including workplace based projects, written activities and observation of demonstrated skills. Some trainees may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Trainees successfully completing all required units will be awarded with the full Qualification. If a Trainee does not complete all units, a Statement of Attainment is issued, detailing the units completed.
Vocational Outcomes and Pathways
This qualification enables graduates to carry out the role of an Industrial Officer within a Union. Participants who gain the full qualification may continue their studies in the Diploma in Unionism and Industrial Relations.
THE PARTICIPANTS
Eligibility
Any person is entitled to apply. A broad range of ages, ethnicity, political and activist groups from a range of blue and white-collar unions have been represented amongst our graduates. Unions may also choose to enrol existing workers in the program (please refer to the Selection & Appointment Process below).
Most unions will require trainees to hold a drivers licence.
FEES & FUNDING
Program Fees and Refunds
Each participant will incur a flat-fee of $2000, payable by the participating union to the Organising Centre. This training is nationally accredited, and therefore GST is not payable on fees.
Trainee Wage
The minimum cost for a union to employ a trainee is based on the National Training Wage Award Rate. This wage will be payable by the participating union to the trainee. It should be noted that many unions no longer pay trainee wages, due to labour market issues, and many unions will elect to extend the trainee contract beyond the program duration. This will alter the cost to the union.
Additional Costs
Unions will need to consider airfare costs to and from the residential course and Graduation Ceremony, both of which may be conducted interstate. Unions may also need to consider the travel costs associated with trainees attending scheduled training courses. These will be conducted in the capital cities of each participating state (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA), so travel will be required for participants located regionally or in other states.
Government Incentives
Some trainees in Victoria and NSW may be eligible for traineeship funding, which will entitle the employing union to receive a Commonwealth Government Wages Incentive. (Funding availablity will be confirmed in early-February 2008). If the trainee meets the criteria (see below), the union will receive $4,000 per eligible trainee, payable by the Commonwealth Government (via the Australian Apprenticeship Centre). This wage incentive will be paid in two installments; once upon commencement and once upon completion of the program. Trainees who do not meet the criteria will not attract government incentive payments.
Participants may be eligible for Commonwealth Government Wages Incentive payments if they have been employed by the union for less than 3 months full-time, or 12 months part-time or casual, prior to signing the traineeship contract. In addition, the trainee must not hold any prior qualifications such as a university degree or diploma (unless they have been registered as unemployed for the previous 12 months).
SELECTION & APPOINTMENT PROCESS
All applicants will need to complete a Traineeship Application Form, and will be required to attend a Group Interview.
STEP 1: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The ACTU Organising Centre will circulate an Expression of Interest form to unions via email on Monday 4th November. Unions should use this form to indicate their interest in employing a trainee/s to participate in the 2009 Organising Works program. This form must be returned to the ACTU by no later than Friday 21st November 2008.
There are two (2) categories of trainee candidates:
1. External Applicants: The Organising Works program will be advertised on Monday 4th November 2008 on the following websites: www.seek.com.au, www.infoxchange.net.au, www.labor.net.au. Any person is entitled to apply. External applicants should submit a Traineeship Application Form by Wednesday 19th November. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to attend a group interview.
2. Union Nominated Participants: Unions may choose to enrol an existing employee in the program. If the participating union has already identified a participant, they should complete and return the Expression of Interest Form and include details of their nominated employee. Union Nominated Participants are also required to complete the Traineeship Application Form, and participate in the group interview process.
STEP 2: INTERVIEW PROCESS
Interviews will take the form of a group interview, conducted by the ACTU Organising Centre. We strongly recommend that participating unions send a representative to attend these interviews, which will be held during the week commencing Monday 15th December. Exact dates for group interviews will be forwarded to participating unions once Expressions of Interest have been received. The group interview will serve to shortlist candidates, who will then attend an individual interview with the participating union.
STEP 3: NOMINATION OF A MENTOR
Upon selection of a trainee, the ACTU Organising Centre will forward a Mentor Nomination Form to participating unions. Unions will need to nominate a mentor for each trainee, who has the expertise and time to provide on-the-job support and training to the trainee. Mentors play a crucial role in the success of the traineeship, so it is essential that all participating unions nominate a mentor for each trainee. The Mentor Nomination Form must be signed and returned to the Organising Centre. The Mentor will be required to attend the Mentor Workshop at the commencement of the program, and an additional workshop during the period of the traineeship to discuss their role and any issues they are facing.
STEP 4: ENROLMENT & TRAINING AGREEMENTS
Upon selection of a trainee, the Organsing Centre will forward a Memorandum of Understanding to participating unions, outlining the Terms and Conditions of the program. The Memorandum of Understanding must be completed and signed by all participating unions, and returned to the Organising Centre.
Participants are usually signed to a training contract (depending upon state requirements). The training contract is a legal document that sets out the training and supervision an employer must provide for their employee, the responsibilities of the RTO, and the employee’s obligations as a trainee.
There are four parties involved in the training contract:
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The Trainee
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The Employer (Union)
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The Registered Training Organisation (ACTU Organising, Education and Campaign Centre)
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The State Training Department (represented by an Australian Apprenticeship Centre)
Trainees and Mentors will be required to attend a workshop at the commencement of the program to sign their enrolment documentation and training contract. Representatives from an Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) will also be in attendance. The AAC will determine whether trainees are eligible for Commonwealth Government Funding.
FORMS
TIMETABLES
CONTACT INFORMATION
Organising Works Coordinator
Kristyn Crossfield, PH: 0425 275 860
Administration Manager
Emily Hedger, PH: (03) 9664 7363
ACTU Organising, Education and Campaign Centre
Level 4, 365 Queen Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
PH: (03) 9664 7363
FAX: (03) 9670 0837
Email: orgworks@actu.asn.au
*The ACTU Organising Centre is registered to deliver BSB41804 Certificate IV in Unionism. In January 2009, we will update our registration to deliver the new version of this qualification, BSB41807 Certificate IV in Unionism and Industrial Relations.