Workforce planning that is meeting changing demographic trends
Great Employer – Clever Workforce is an innovative HR strategic framework that has won Brisbane City Council the Australian Human Resources Award in the Public Sector Employer of Choice category at the HR Awards announced in October. The awards recognise excellence across the spectrum of Human Resources, with organisations across Australia competing in 15 categories.
Brisbane City Council was recognised for its innovative HR strategic framework called Great Employer – Clever Workforce. The framework assists managers with workforce planning and guides decision making. It is based on a partnership between Council management and employees.
Keeping workplaces safe and healthy, promoting active and healthy lifestyles for workers and improving data systems and processes to help management planning are some of the key actions.
Like many public sector employers, Brisbane City Council has an ageing workforce.
“During the past year we have developed a workforce plan to address the declining number of new entrants to the Australian workforce which is anticipated to be ten per cent of current levels in ten years time,” said City of Brisbane Chief Executive Officer, Jude Munro. “Brisbane City Council has recognised this demographic trend and we are working hard to develop new strategies to alleviate the effect of an ageing workforce. For example, we have adopted ‘young blood’ and ‘wise heads’ strategies to both attract new employees to retain key talent.”
Young Blood Wise Heads allows Council to recruit younger employees, aged less than 25years, while retaining experienced staff, aged more than 45 years. Mentoring, coaching and work shadowing programs link older, experienced employees with young employees so that knowledge is passed on.
Work/life balance initiatives provide employees with flexible hours, part time work, job sharing, telecommuting and mid career breaks.
In 2004-05, Council has increased its annual intake of first year apprentices to 33 and trainees to 125. An overhauled corporate graduate program also offers comprehensive development and ongoing career opportunities to predominantly young university graduates.
“This award recognises our leading edge policies and practices focused on safety, health and wellness, career development, diversity, work and family, and learning and development,” Jude Munro said. “The Great Employer – Clever Workforce framework will ensure Council’s workforce is flexible, efficient and has a right mix of skills to meet residents’ future needs.”
For further information contact, Rosey McGrath, Senior Media Relations Officer on (07) 3403 6326.
