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| Waivers more
critical By FLTLT Jade Deveney Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007 |
| Critical Skills
Waivers (CSW) have traditionally been used to retain members for specified
periods of time who are employable but no longer deployable. The policy has facilitated Air Force’s ability to retain people who, while not deployable, provide skills critical to Air Force capability. However, in the context of an increased focus on the retention and flexible employment of experienced personnel, the criteria for granting a CSW has been recognised as unnecessarily prescriptive and difficult to pass. Previously, members deemed Medical Employment Classification (MEC) 4 needed to possess critical skills or be employed in a specialisation or mustering considered critical. Further, the member’s retention was not allowed to disadvantage another member who is MEC 1 or 2. The length of the CSW was for a maximum of three years. To enable greater discretion to retain members who have the skills, experience and knowledge required, Air Force has implemented some subtle changes to the policy. A skills waiver may now be granted to retain members who meet the following criteria (changes highlighted in italics): -Possess a skill/trade that has been identified by the delegate as highly desirable, or have reached a rank within an occupation that has been identified as difficult to replace and/or under strength; -Their medical condition does not place the Commonwealth under an unreasonably increased risk of liability should they be continued to be employed; and -There is a suitable position, or project (for Reserves), for the member to be employed. No longer stipulates ‘which does not disadvantage another member who is MEC 1 or 2’. The maximum period a waiver can be issued has been increased to five years. |