The Western Australian TAFE Lecturers` General Agreement 2019 is a significant development in the education sector in Western Australia. TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions play a vital role in providing vocational education and training to students and workers in the state. The agreement sets out the terms and conditions of employment for TAFE lecturers and covers a wide range of issues, including remuneration, workload, professional development, and job security.

One of the key features of the agreement is the pay increase for TAFE lecturers. The agreement provides for a 2% increase in salary backdated to July 1, 2018, followed by a further 2% increase on July 1, 2019, and an additional 2% increase on July 1, 2020. This is a significant improvement on the previous agreement, which only provided for a 1.5% increase in salary. The pay increase is intended to help attract and retain skilled TAFE lecturers and to ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work.

Another important aspect of the agreement is the focus on workload management for TAFE lecturers. The agreement acknowledges that workload is a major issue for lecturers and sets out a range of measures to address this, including the establishment of workload committees, the provision of workload management training for managers and supervisors, and the development of workload management guidelines. These measures are designed to help ensure that lecturers are not overworked and can deliver high-quality teaching to their students.

The agreement also contains provisions relating to professional development for TAFE lecturers. This includes the provision of up to 60 hours of professional development per year, as well as the establishment of a professional development fund to support lecturers in their ongoing professional development. The focus on professional development is intended to help ensure that TAFE lecturers continue to develop their skills and knowledge, which is essential for delivering high-quality vocational education and training.

Finally, the agreement contains provisions relating to job security for TAFE lecturers. This includes the establishment of fixed-term contracts for lecturers who have been employed for more than five years, as well as measures to ensure that contract lecturers are treated fairly in terms of workload and professional development. These measures are designed to help ensure that TAFE lecturers have job security and can continue to provide high-quality vocational education and training to their students.

In conclusion, the Western Australian TAFE Lecturers` General Agreement 2019 is an important development in the education sector in Western Australia. The agreement provides for significant improvements in pay, workload management, professional development, and job security for TAFE lecturers. It is hoped that these measures will help attract and retain skilled TAFE lecturers and ensure that the vocational education and training sector in Western Australia continues to thrive.