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Tasmanian Industrial Commission

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T12817, T12818 and T12819

 

TASMANIAN INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION

Industrial Relations Act 1984
s.23 application for award or variation of award

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited
(T12817 of 2006)
(T12818 of 2006)
(T12819 of 2006)

NATIONAL TRAINING WAGE (TASMANIAN PRIVATE SECTOR) AWARD
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AWARD
BUILDING TRADES AWARD

 

COMMISSIONER T J ABEY

HOBART, 9 November 2006

Award variation - school-based apprenticeships - applications granted - operative date 9 November 2006

REASONS FOR DECISION

[1] On 16 October 2006 applications were lodged by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (TCCI), pursuant to Section 23 of the Industrial Relations Act 1984, to vary the National Training Wage (Tasmanian Private Sector) Award, the Building and Construction Industry Award and the Building Trades Award.

[2] When this matter came on for hearing on 9 November 2006, Mr A Flood appeared for the TCCI, Mr P Baker appeared for the Minister for Justice and Workplace Relations, Mr S Cocker appeared for the Tasmanian Trades and Labor Council, Mr T Kleyn appeared for the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch and Mr A Benson appeared for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Tasmanian Branch. Mr P Tullgren of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union - Tasmanian Branch conveyed his apologies prior to the hearing for not appearing.

[3] Mr Flood advised that the purpose of this application was to facilitate apprenticeship training for students whilst still undertaking formal school education. He submitted that this facilitative measure had the potential to make a significant contribution in addressing the widely recognised skills shortage.

[4] Mr Flood said similar provisions had be included in a number of awards of the AIRC

[5] The union representatives all indicated that the award variation was not opposed on the basis that it would make a positive contribution to the skill shortage issue. Mr Tullgren had indicated LMHWU consent to the application prior to the hearing.

[6] Mr Baker indicated that the Minister fully supported the application in that it provided a stepping-stone for further opportunities for young people to enter the workforce with appropriate training. He said that the increase in total employment in recent years, whilst welcome, had largely been in the older age groups, and, as such, school based apprentices provided an important opportunity for young people.

[7] I am satisfied that the applications are consistent with both the Wage Fixing Principles and the public interest requirements of the Act.

[8] The applications are granted operative from 9 November 2006.

[9] Orders reflecting this decision are attached.

 

Tim Abey
COMMISSIONER

Appearances:
Mr A Flood for the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited
Mr P Baker for the Minister for Justice and Workplace Relations
Mr S Cocker for the Tasmanian Trades and Labor Council
Mr T Kleyn for the Health Services Union of Australia, Tasmania No. 1 Branch
Mr A Benson for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Tasmanian Branch

Date and Place of Hearing:
2006
November 9
Hobart