External
This provision covers (but is not confined to) those attendances initiated by the employee, where employer approval is sought. The usual situation here would be that of completing/undertaking some sort of part-time study, where study leave approval has been sought from the employer.
Other situations such as union training courses and self-development courses would also fall into this category provided employer approv — al for attendance has been granted.
There is no requirement in the provision that the employer must meet the cost of the course in any way, or provide paid study leave. All that is required is that approval for the attendance had in fact been given by the employer.