Staff FAQs

• Staff transition
• Working conditions
• Staffing levels
• Consultation
• Qualifications
• General

Staff transition

What's happening with staff transition?

A fact sheet [PDF 170KB] has been prepared to inform staff of where we are at in the transition planning process and the decisions that have been made that will facilitate a smooth transfer to the new organisations. Key questions that the fact sheet covers include:

• Am I guaranteed a job next year?
• Who is deciding how the new working arrangements will be put in place?
• When do I find out where my role will be?
• What is the process for my transition to the new organisation?
• What if I am not happy with the proposed transfer for me?

 
What support will be available to staff in organisations that will make the transition?

Refer to newsletter article in Tasmania Tomorrow News Issue: 03.
 

Who can I go to locally to find out more?

Clear communication links with each specific college and TAFE Tasmania site or campus have been established with the appointment of 'change leaders' so that staff know who to approach locally with questions and comments about the changes under the Tasmania Tomorrow initiative. See below for the change leader at your site.
 

 
Working conditions

What will be the change in working conditions for people currently employed by senior secondary colleges or TAFE Tasmania?

A commitment has been given to all existing staff that they will not be asked to sacrifice their current entitlements and conditions in moving to the new organisations. Staff will be employed under the State Service Act 2000 and in accordance with the relevant public sector award.

For 2009, Hobart College staff and the staff of other colleges which join at this time will be consulted on a process to facilitate their transition. This should include options to work in the academy or polytechnic, or in another college or school.

If any new arrangements are negotiated, this would be done through the Employee Relations Working Group. Representatives from the Public Sector Management Office, and key unions, the Australian Education Union, Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, and the Community and Public Sector Union, have been invited to participate on this working group which has been established to work on these issues. This group will provide advice on the best way to implement this aspect of the initiative and all staff will be kept informed of their work.
 

How does the Education Department see teachers in the same organisation doing the same job, working under different Awards/Agreements (eg with different holidays) due to some being registered, others not; some being from the TAFE system, others from colleges?

The Minister has made a commitment that no existing employees will be forced onto an award that is less than what they are employed under currently. It is envisaged that if, through the Employee Relations Working Group, new arrangements are negotiated, staff would have a choice to stay on their current arrangement or transfer to the new one. There could be a ‘grandfather clause’ for existing staff, and new staff could be employed on the new agreement. The actual arrangement will be subject to the outcomes of the working group.

The issue of teacher registration has been raised during the consultations. The Steering Committee is reviewing the issues and possible options. The principles which will apply to their decision-making relate to the importance of assuring the quality of teaching outcomes and the safety of students and staff in the new organisations. These recommendations will be made in early 2008.

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Staffing levels

Will there be a spill of positions or will existing staff be transferred to the new structure?

Staff will be guaranteed a position in one of the organisations but there may need to be a process, negotiated with staff representatives where more people wish to work in a particular one than there are positions. This will be a transparent process.
 

Will there be staff redundancies?

The initiative's aim is to increase participation and qualifications so we will not need fewer teachers and support staff into the future.

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Consultation

How will this initiative take into account the views and concerns of classroom teachers in its implementation?

Teachers from high schools, colleges and TAFE have been active in providing feedback and comments on the new arrangements during the consultation phase. Consultation into implementing the model will continue through the working groups which have been established to make recommendations on specific aspects of the initiative. There will be opportunities for teaching and support staff to be actively involved in aspects of the implementation in 2008.  Feedback can also be provided using the online form.

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Qualifications

Will there be a place in the polytechnic for teachers who presently teach in colleges? If so, what industry background do these teachers need to have?

The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards will apply in the polytechnic as they do now in both colleges where VET qualifications are awarded. If teachers are able to teach VET subjects now in college, they would be able to teach them in the polytechnic. The polytechnic will also be offering a range of TCE courses that will need to be taught by teachers with appropriate qualifications.

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General

What will happen to my college?
 
Hobart College, Hellyer, The Don and Newstead Colleges will make the transition to the new organisations from 2009. All of these former college sites will have campuses of the Tasmanian Academy and Tasmanian Polytechnic. The academy and polytechnic will therefore have campuses state-wide from 2009 and students from all regions will be able to access the full range of options from the beginning. Remaining senior secondary colleges will make the transition by 2011. The Department of Education will continue to consult with colleges and their communities on this issue.