In May this year, Cardinia received a Federal Government grant through the Local Government Incentive Program to undertake a significant study to establish the optimum approach to the recruitment, development and retention of Local Government staff within the Victorian Gippsland region.
The project will provide a model for best practice HR management for Gippsland Councils and its application will be capable of use throughout the industry. The study will include research into specific staffing difficulties and will involve discussions with industry stakeholders, government agencies and educational and training bodies to explore practical solutions to current problems experienced.
The project will deliver the following key outcomes.
- Optional model for the recruitment, career development and retention of key staff, including classification and reward systems.
- A proposal for a career entry and development incentive program. Ideally the proposal will be capable of resourcing government funding through nationally accredited and priority training.
- A strategy to address future staff skill shortages and supply demands.
- An examination of alternative service delivery arrangements including regulatory and internal corporate services.
- A strategy to market the benefits and appeal of the industry generally and the region specifically to potential recruits and other stakeholders.
Cardinia’s Manager Organisation Development is managing the project under the broad auspice of a steering group comprising representatives from each of the Gippsland Councils.
To date the project has identified a number of key issues which will underpin the development of specific strategies.These include career development, recruitment, image, support from educational bodies, remuneration flexibility and retention.
The final report is expected to be completed in April next year and will be accessible via Council’s internet site.
