Workforce Planning - Useful links and resources

Workforce planning

2010 Local Government Staff Census - Report on Findings (Division of Local Government, 2011) - a report on the results of the inaugural Census of Local Government staff which includes a local government staff profile and examples of good practice by councils to increase staff diversity.
Workforce Planning: A Guide (Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2003) – a comprehensive guide to the planning and preparation of a workforce strategy, including a workforce plan template
Workforce profile and planning resources (Department of Premier and Cabinet) – a list of useful publications for preparing workforce plans (the last topic at the bottom of the Publication Categories List)
NSW Public Sector Workforce Strategy 2008-2012 (Department of Premier and Cabinet) – a straightforward document which includes useful strategic questions, directions and ways of measuring success that can easily be applied to a local government context
Good Practice Toolkit (Local Government Managers Australia NSW, 2007) – this resource is only available to subscribers and includes a module on workforce planning. Interested councils should contact the LGMA NSW to obtain access
Workforce planning - training module overview (Learning Solutions) - this training is available for purchase from the training arm of the Local Government Shires Association
2008 Workforce Planning Handbook (Standards Australia) – this is available for purchase from SAI Global
Excellence in Local Government (EiLG) - this business excellence program is available for purchase from SAI Global
PBP Checklist – Workforce Relations (Division of Local Government, 2009) – a self-assessment workforce relations checklist (spreadsheet tab at the far right).
Critical Skills Investment Fund - $200 million Australian Government co-funding for industry partnerships to undertake projects that provide training and employment opportunities in critical industry sectors, including local government, to increase the supply of skilled labour through training and upskilling.
NSW Public Sector ITAB - a not-for-profit industry association supported by the NSW Department of Education and Communities which is the recognised advisory body on vocational education and training for the public sector, including local government in NSW. Its goal is to develop skills and build capability in the government workforce.

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Equity and diversity

Division of Local Government - includes information and resources to assist councils attract and retain diverse staff including the Promoting Diversity webpage and the 2010 Local Government Staff Census - Report on Findings (Division of Local Government, 2011) - a report on the results of the inaugural Census of Local Government staff which includes local government staff profile and examples of good practice by councils to increase staff diversity.

Department of Employment , Education and Workplace Relations - a central location for information about Australian Government education and workplace related websites. Also includes funding programs and information for employing people with disability and mature age workers, as well as resources for developing and managing a workforce strategy and introducing family-friendly work arrangements.

Flexible Working - (Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2011) - a website with information about flexible work practices in the public sector, including flexible working options, finding solutions to manage work/life role challenges, examples and case studies, the benefits of flexible working, how to set up flexible work practices, how to make it work and tools and templates.

Aboriginal people

Engaging with Local Aboriginal Communities: A Resource Kit for Local Government in NSW (Division of Local Government, 2007) – includes information about employing Aboriginal people.

Making it our Business – Improving Aboriginal Employment in the NSW Public Sector – Strategic Framework and Resource Guide

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program

Australian Government Indigenous Employment Program

Indigenous Youth Mobility Program

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) - an innovative way for local councils to engage within their sphere of influence in the national effort to Close the Gap for Indigenous Australians, while advancing councils' business and organisational objectives and providing direct economic benefits to councils, including a larger labour market from increasing numbers of skilled and educated job-ready Indigenous Australians.

Women

National Framework for Women in Local Government – Information Kit for Councils (NSW Coordination Group, 2005) – includes strategies to increase the representation of women amongst senior staff

50:50 Vision – A National Program for Gender Equity in Local Government (ALGWA, 2009) – includes council examples of strategies to increase the participation of women in council workforces

The Way Forward – Review of the National Framework for Women in Local Government (Australian Local Government Women’s Association, 2007)

Action Plan for Women Employed in Local Government in NSW (Local Government Managers Australia, 2009)

Making the Public Sector Work Better for Women 2008-2012 (Department of Premier and Cabinet) – a detailed document which contains strategies for retaining and attracting female employees which can easily be applied to the local government context.

Flexible work arrangements - a how to guide (Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency)

50:50 Councils for Gender Equity program - (ALGWA, 2010) - the first national accreditation and awards program which assists councils to address gender equity issues within their organisations. The program has been designed to be accessed by all councils, regardless of their size, location and progress on gender equity. Accreditation of councils as a 50:50 Vision employer will make it easier to attract and retain talented female staff.

Cultural diversity

Implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism Locally – A planning framework for councils (Division of Local Government and Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW, 2008)

Developing staff in a diverse workplace (Department of Premier and Cabinet) – includes information on providing fair and accessible training and development programs and mentoring, including good practice examples

Mature age workers

Mature Workforce Policy and Guidelines (NSW Premier’s Department, 1998) – information about preparing a Mature Workforce Program to recruit and retain the valuable knowledge and expertise held by mature aged workers

SageCentre (Department of Human Services - Ageing, Disability and Home Care, 2010) - information and resources for line managers, HR officers and workforce planners as well as mature age workers to support public sector leaders to address the risks, challenges and opportunities that the ageing of the workforce brings. The site also contains practical information, latest research, tools and templates to assist in developing effective strategies and solutions to address ageing workforce issues.

Young people

NSW Apprenticeships and Traineeships (NSW Department of Education and Training) – provides information and advice including publications, FAQs, rules and regulations, training plans and school-based arrangements

A Complete Guide to Apprenticeships and Traineeships in NSW (NSW Department of Education and Training, 2008)

Supervising Your Apprentice or Trainee (NSW Department of Education and Training, 2008)

Disability Awareness for Supervisors of Apprentices and Trainees (NSW Department of Education and Training, 2008)

Australian Apprenticeships - an Australian Government website which provides comprehensive information about apprenticeships

Local Government Traineeships - general information about local government traineeships available

Choose Your Own Adventure - a NSW Government website aimed at young people which provides information and links for young people seeking employment in a range of areas, including local government

People with a disability

How to make work-related adjustments

JobAccess – Australian Government website with information and funding assistance for employing people with a disability

EmployABILITY (Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2011) - a website with a strategy to increase the employment of people with a disability in the NSW public sector by 2013. The site includes strategies for valuing and retaining employees with a disability, improving their recruitment experience and measuring/reporting improvements in this area.

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Workplace governance

Guidelines for the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (Division of Local Government, 2008) – interpreting standards in the Model Code, including suggestions for enhancing Council’s Code of Conduct.

Practice Note No. 5 – Recruitment of GM and Senior Staff (Division of Local Government, 1994)

Complaints Management in Councils – Practice Note 9 (DLG and NSW Ombudsman, 2009)

NSW Office of Industrial Relations - publications to assist understanding of rights and obligations under NSW industrial legislation including:

Workplace guidelines (Anti-Discrimination Board) - includes sample policies and guidelines for managers, supervisors and non-supervisory staff and grievance procedure guidelines.

Harassment and bullying – Australian Government website with information about what harassment and bullying are and what to do about them.

Discrimination, Affirmative Action and EEO factsheet – information from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board.

Corruption prevention publications (Independent Commission Against Corruption) for public sector managers and employees, including Corruption Risk Management tip sheet, Use and Misuse of Public Sector Resources tip sheets for employees and managers.

Public Interest Disclosures Guidelines (NSW Ombudsman, 2009)

Occupational Health & Safety – law and policy (WorkCover NSW)

Skills shortages

Collaboration and Partnerships between Councils - A Guidance Paper (Division of Local Government, 2007) – provides information about entering into strategic partnerships with other councils which can be useful in relation to skills sharing and peer support

Overcoming Skills Shortages A Practical Guide for Regional Communities – (Department of State and Regional Development, 2007) a step-by-step guide on how to gather information on the nature of skills shortages in the local area and developing the right responses, including examples of practical action, case studies, contact details and useful internet resources

LGSA Plus - helpful tips for councils on marketing local government careers

Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) - workforce development resources and strategies including addressing skills shortages, increasing the employment of women in local government and regional skills projects

Planning Institute Australia – includes information about local government careers in planning

Government Skills Australia – industry skills council which provides training resources specific to government administration, services and operations

Critical Skills Investment Fund - $200 million Australian Government co-funding for industry partnerships to undertake projects that provide training and employment opportunities in critical industry sectors, including local government, to increase the supply of skilled labour through training and upskilling.

NSW Public Sector ITAB - a not-for-profit industry association supported by the NSW Department of Education and Communities which is the recognised advisory body on vocational education and training for the public sector, including local government in NSW. Its goal is to develop skills and build capability in the government workforce.

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