Learning and Development 8.1 The Ministry is committed to creating a people management environment where the focus is on enhancing capability and supporting our people to build successful and rewarding careers.
8.2 This will enable the Ministry to meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders and continuously improve the quality of the service it provides by ensuring we have the capability and capacity needed to meet the expectations of New Zealanders in delivering first class justice services.
8.3 The Ministry will value and prioritise development – promoting and supporting learning as a constant for everyone. Career and personal development will be a strong focus within the Ministry.
8.4 We will endeavour to ensure that every employee has access to a range of development opportunities that ensure they have the skills needed to perform effectively in their role, and to develop new skills for future roles. People will take responsibility for their own learning and development, and will have the support and tools to enable them to do this.
8.5 The Ministry recognises that our managers and team leaders are critical to our success.
8.6 We will ensure they have the skills necessary to be successful in their roles, and encourage and support them in continually developing their leadership and management skills.
8.7 We will work to clearly define management structures and career paths, and focus on ensuring we have the management and leadership capability necessary to lead us into the future.
8.8 We will work in partnership with our managers and team leaders to identify development opportunities that contribute to their success as a leader and supporting their career aspirations.
8.9 To achieve this, the Ministry will develop a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities for managers and team leaders.
Training and Development 3.1 Authorities will develop local 'Workforce Development Plans (see Part 4.8),' closely linked to their service delivery plans, which will provide the focus for the establishment of training and development priorities. Training and development should be designed to meet the corporate and service needs of authorities both current and in the future, taking into account the individual needs of employees. Local schemes on training and development should enable authorities to attain their strategic objectives through development of their employees. Training and development provisions should be shaped to local requirements and take account of the full range of learning methods. Such an approach should enable access to learning for all employees. The needs of part time employees and shift workers need particular consideration.
3.2 Employees attending or undertaking required training are entitled to payment of normal earnings; all prescribed fees and other relevant expenses arising. Employees are also entitled to paid leave for the purpose of sitting for required examinations. When attending training courses outside contracted daily hours, part-time employees should be paid on the same basis as full- time employees. (Assistance for other forms of learning, for example that directed at individual development, will be locally determined). Some training can be very expensive and authorities may require repayment of all or part of the costs incurred should an employee leave the authority before a reasonable time period has expired. The authority's policy in this regard should be made explicit.
3.3 Objectives for training and development programmes should include the following: • To enable Councils to attain their strategic objectives via investment in their employees. • To promote equity of access to learning. • To encourage employees to develop their skills and level of responsibility to the maximum of their individual potential. • To widen and modernise the skills profile of employees to maximise their versatility, employability and so, job security. • To enable employees to raise productivity, quality and customer service in pursuit of sustainable improvement
3.4 Authorities should establish local partnership arrangements, to include recognised trade unions, to develop their local workforce development plans.
3.5 The NJC endorses partnership provision such as the "Return to Learn" scheme. Authorities and the recognised trade unions shall encourage and support employees taking on the statutory Union Learning Representative (ULR) role. This will include agreeing facilities and paid release in accordance with statutory provisions. ULRs should be enabled to play a full part in promoting and implementing local training and development programmes.
Research and Development (i) Advice and assistance in relation to research and development of Party B;
(ii) Advice and assistance in strategic planning; and
Local Professional Development Committee A. There shall be a Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) to oversee, review, and approve individual professional development plans (IPDP) for course work, continuing education units and/or other equivalent activities.
1. The LPDC shall be responsible to recommend for the Superintendent’s approval, all in-service activities and workshops offered in the district during the school year for staff professional development.
2. Recommendations for District Workshops and In-Service activities should be submitted to the LPDC for approval and recommendation no later than the last school day of the year prior to the year it will be implemented.
3. The LPDC chair shall review and approve all “Professional Growth Reimbursement Application” forms.
B. The LPDC shall consist of three (3) teachers appointed by the Association President and two (2) members appointed by the Superintendent. One of the Superintendent's appointees will be a Principal employed by the district.
C. Appointments shall be for two (2) years with half of the committee members being appointed every other year.
1. Appointments shall be made on or before May 1.
2. The Appointments shall be made by each party outlined above, notifying the other of those appointed.
3. In the event of a vacancy, the committee members shall be replaced in accordance with "B." above.
4. The Association shall name a fourth teacher member and the Superintendent shall name a third administrative member to serve as alternates and attend trainings. These two (2) people shall act as substitutes when a committee member is absent.
D. This committee shall meet monthly.
1. The committee may also be convened by the request of two sitting members.
2. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members. When administrative licenses/certificates are reviewed, two (2) sitting teacher members will abstain and the decision will be decided by three (3) members.
3. If the committee determines it is needed, they will be provided two (2) professional release days to meet during regular school hours. Substitutes will be provided for the committee members on these release days.
4. Committee members shall be provided an additional annual stipend of $1,000 for meetings beyond the normal work day or year. This stipend shall be paid in two (2) semi-annual payments. Any member who fails to serve the full year shall have the above compensation prorated on a monthly basis for each month served.
5. Decisions of the LPDC will be made by consensus of the committee members present.
6. The committee minutes shall be prepared and maintained in compliance with the laws governing the operation of committees of public bodies.
Professional Development Committee There shall be a Professional Development Committee composed of three (3) members of the Association one of whom shall be the Bargaining Unit President or designate and three (3) representatives of the Hospital one of whom shall be the Chief Nursing Officer or designate and one human resources representative.