Support Staff in Schools' Collective Agreement

4.1.1 When new technology is introduced to the workplace for use by the employee, appropriate training should be provided as a matter of course.

4.1.2 Employees are entitled to ongoing training in recognition of the importance of keeping up with changing work patterns and technology. No employee shall be required to undertake training outside of work hours. Where it is agreed that training is both necessary and available only outside of work hours, the employee shall be given full pay or equivalent time off for the period of such training.

4.2.1 The parties agree that ongoing professional development is an important component of the provision of quality support services within schools. Further the parties acknowledge that the provision of quality support services is aided by appropriately qualified staff.

4.2.2 Both the employer and employee are responsible for discussing and identifying appropriate professional development opportunities. This should occur on at least a 12 monthly basis and where possible be linked to the annual appraisal process.

4.2.3 Subject to clause 4.2.6, a Board may require an employee covered by this agreement to attend professional development opportunities for up to five days in each calendar year. The identification of such opportunities is likely to arise from the process referred to in clause 4.2.2.

4.2.4 The most appropriate opportunities may be in term time or during term breaks, and may be during the employee’s normal working hours or outside those hours. When considering such opportunities, the employer will give every reasonable regard to the employee’s external responsibilities and commitments.

4.2.5 Where an employee considers that they have not being provided with an appropriate professional development opportunity through the process referred to in clause 4.2.2, the employee may apply to the school board to have their attendance at a particular course approved and reimbursed in accordance with this clause. Such approval will be at the discretion of the school board based on the principles expressed in clause 4.2.

4.2.6 Where professional development occurs outside of work hours or on a day not normally worked, the employee shall receive full pay for the time spent at the course, including reasonable travelling time, for a maximum of eight hours per day. In addition the course costs and reasonable expenses shall be met by the Board. A minimum of four weeks’ notice of any such course will be given to the employee.

4.2.7 Where the professional development occurs on a day or days the employee would normally work, the employee will be entitled to have course costs and reasonable expenses paid by the employer in addition to normal wages for the day. Where the course length, including reasonable travelling time, exceeds the hours normally worked on the day, those additional hours shall also be on full pay to a maximum of eight.

4.2.8 Where the employer requires the employee to use their own vehicle, reasonable expenses shall include mileage payments as per clause 5.1.

4.2.9 The overtime provisions in this agreement shall not apply to the time spent on professional development.