1. The Program
2. The Program Structure
3. The Participants
4. Program Fees & Funding
5. Selection & Appointment Process
6. Forms
7. Timetables
8. Contact Information

1. 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 train them in the skills of organising and recruitment.  Utilising new and innovative approaches to organising, the program also seeks to assist unions throughout the movement to develop trained and competent staff, capable of delivering effective and sustained campaigns.

The Organising Works program incorporates the nationally accredited qualification BSB41807 Certificate IV in Unionism and Industrial Relations.

2. The Program Structure 

Program Dates
There is only one intake per year. The next intake will commence in early 2010, in the following states (please refer to Timetables for a full set of training dates):

NSW - 1st March 2010
VIC - 8th March 2010

Subject to sufficient enrolment numbers, the Organising Centre is also proposing to deliver the program in WA, commencing 15th March 2010.

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 to on-the-job experience, 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 Certificate IV 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.

4. Fees & Funding

Program Fees and Refunds
Each participant will incur a flat-fee of $2500, payable by the participating union to the ACTU Organising Centre. This training is nationally accredited, and therefore GST is not payable on fees.  This fee includes travel, accommodation and meals at the Residential Course (Course 8).

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 Graduation Ceremony, 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, so travel will be required for participants located regionally or in other states.

Government Incentives
Some trainees may be eligible for traineeship funding, which will entitle the employing union to receive a Commonwealth Government Wages Incentive.  If the trainee meets the eligibility criteria (see below), the union will receive a wage incentive 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).

5. 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. Unions should use this form to indicate their interest in employing a trainee/s to participate in the 2010 Organising Works program. This form must be returned to the ACTU by no later than Friday 9th October (VIC & NSW) or Wednesday 4th November (WA).  There are two categories of trainee candidates:

(a) New Applicants: These are applicants who are not currently employed by participating Unions.  If sufficient Unions confirm their intention to select new external applicants, the 2010 Organising Works program will be advertised on the following websites in October/November 2009: www.seek.com.au, & www.labor.net.au. Any person is entitled to apply and we encourage a broad range of applicants. All applicants should submit a Traineeship Application Form. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to attend a group interview.

(b) Existing Employees (or 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. Interview dates will be circulated 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 and training agreements
Upon selection of a trainee, the Organising 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: