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
Staff Development Leave (a) An employee will be granted leave without loss of pay, at their basic rate of pay, to take courses (including related examinations) or attend conferences, conventions, seminars, workshops, symposiums or similar out-of-service programs, at the request of the Employer. The amount of pay received by an employee will not exceed the full-time daily hours of work as outlined in Clause 14.2 (Hours of Work). When such leave is granted, the Employer will bear the full cost, including tuition fees, entrance or registration fees, laboratory fees, and course-related books. The Employer will also reimburse the employee for approved travelling, subsistence, and other legitimate, applicable expenses.
(b) An employee may be granted leave without pay, with pay, or leave with partial pay, to take work related courses in which the employee wishes to enrol to acquire the skills necessary to enhance opportunities.
(c) Approval of requests will be given reasonable consideration and leaves pursuant to this article will be administered in a reasonable manner.
(d) Should the employee noted above terminate their employment for any reason during the six month period following completion of the above-noted leave, the employee will reimburse the Employer for all expenses incurred by the Employer (i.e. tuition fees, entrance or registration fees, laboratory fees, and course-required books) on a proportionate basis.
Professional Development Leave A. Policy. Professional development leave shall be made available to employees who meet the requirements set forth below. Such leaves are granted to increase an employee's value to the University through enhanced opportunities for professional renewal, educational travel, study, formal education, research, writing, or other experience of professional value, not as a reward for service.
