Output 1.2 Workforce Capability and Governance

Overview

The directorate continued to provide strategic policy advice and support to the Head of Service on matters relating to ACTPS employment. Areas of responsibility include flexible work arrangements, service-wide employment, industrial relations, workforce strategy, organisational learning and development, investigations, and accountability and governance. The directorate also provided support to the statutory offices of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner, ACT Remuneration Tribunal, Joint Council and provided support to the People and Performance Council and the Human Resource (HR) Directors’ Forum.

Highlights

Against this output in 2017-18 the directorate:

• developed and implemented the ACTPS Learning Strategy which articulates the commitment to an ongoing learning environment for the ACTPS and reinforces the commitment to innovation and change;
• developed and implemented the ACTPS Core Learning Policy which supports the ACTPS Learning Strategy and ACTPS Shared Capability Framework in building the ACTPS of the future. It identifies training for all employees regardless of their directorate or their position. Core learning subjects have been selected to ensure employees are aware of the fundamentals of working in the ACTPS and provide consistent core skills development across the Service;
• continued to implement the ADAPT (Align, Design, Analyse, Program and Transform) Strategic Workforce Planning toolkit (the toolkit) and broaden its usage. A fully accessible smart form version of the toolkit was launched on the ACTPS Employment portal. The toolkit is designed to assist directorates to ‘future proof’ their workforce and take an evidence-based approach to workforce design;
• initiated development of a WoG ‘Culture READY’ strategy to support positive workplace culture. Partnered with directorate HR teams to develop communications and practical resources for continuous improvement in working and management practices;
• developed and implemented the ACT Government Veterans Employment Strategy and Veterans page on the ACTPS Employment Portal. The Strategy focuses on assisting veterans as they transition from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) into civilian employment. An all-staff survey, undertaken in late 2017, identified 134 veterans in the ACTPS. Six ACTPS senior executives have been identified as Veterans Executive Champions. While their role is evolving, they are looking to be involved in activities such as: ADF Transition Seminars, mentoring and providing advice to selection panels on translating ADF skills and experience into ACTPS roles;
• administered the WoG graduate program. The graduate program continues to be a successful strategy in recruiting future leaders into the ACTPS. In 2017, a cohort of 38 graduates completed the program and moved to permanent roles in the Service. The 2018 program has increased to 50 graduates;
• Workforce Capability and Governance continued to develop strategies to increase capability within the ACTPS through increased diversity. The ACTPS Staff with Disability and Allies Network was established. The Network aims to assist the ACTPS to create and sustain an inclusive workplace, to increase disability confidence of employees and awareness while also leveraging the skills and talents of our employees with disability. In addition, the first Disability Employment Services (DES) Provider Expo in August 2017. The Expo is an avenue for members of the community and new school leavers to link in and meet with local providers that support the employment for people with disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Due to its success and positive feedback the Expo will be held in August 2018;
• the ACTPS People with Disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Frameworks were launched in the second half of 2017. The Frameworks acknowledge the level of maturity that now exists in this area across the ACTPS. They are high level documents providing overarching direction on inclusion activities, which directorates can implement locally, or participate at a whole of government level. The ACTPS also continued the Inclusion Vocational Employment Program (previously Traineeship) for people with disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and promoted participation in the Graduate program, providing individual support and pastoral care to participants, and support and guidance work areas across the ACTPS. Promotion of the ACTPS’ commitment to inclusion employment at public events included expos, forums, schools, organisations and broader community;
• during Reconciliation Week 2018, Lisa Coulson, Employment Inclusion Officer, and William Towler, Senior Manager, Workforce Inclusion were also recognised for the development and delivery of the CMTEDD Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Career Development Program. The Career Development program was held in May 2017 and involved 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff who participated in development training activities that will aid their career progression (see photograph under Testimonial);
• managed the Workforce Transformation Program which aims to drive organisational and cultural change, particularly the relocation of an estimated 3,000 staff into the new Dickson and Civic Office Blocks during 2020. About 800 staff are now working flexibly across four locations, including ACT Property Group offices at 255 Canberra Avenue Fyshwick and Access Canberra at TransACT House in Dickson;
• the Whole of Government policies about flexible and home based work have been reviewed and new policies developed for Remote Work Arrangements and Activity Based Work. Working groups have been established for programs of activity in Workplace Culture, Technology, and Operations under the direction of the Workforce Transformation Group;
• coordinated ACTPS input into the Government Response to the 79 recommendations from the Select Committee Report 2017 – Inquiry into an Independent Integrity Commission which was tabled on 20 March 2018.
• in partnership with the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (Parliamentary Counsel’s Office and Legislation, Policy and Programs), prepared for the ACT Government, the Integrity Commission Bill 2018 and associated policy development prior to referral to the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee for an Independent Integrity Committee 2018;
• supported the Remuneration Tribunal;
• launched and promoted the refreshed approach to the Whole of Government Employee Assistance Program, comprising four providers of choice for directorates and staff;
• supported the appointment and induction of the new Public Sector Standards Commissioner,
  Mr Ian McPhee AO PSM;
• coordinated the Service wide Executive development program including delivering four executive development events on leading an agile, responsive and innovative public service into the future. This series focussed on community engagement, digital transformation, collaboration with the National Capital Authority and leadership;
• delivered the 2017 ACT Public Service Awards for Excellence with 130 nominations across the six categories of: Respect; Integrity; Collaboration; Innovation; Leadership; and Bill Harris Executive Leadership;
• participated in training with the ACT Ombudsman’s Office in relation to the Reportable Conduct Scheme which oversees how organisations prevent, and respond to allegations of, child abuse and misconduct;
• implemented dispute resolution options for managing workplace behaviours;
• provided advice and assistance to directorates and other public sector entities regarding appropriate management of Reportable Conduct matters across the ACTPS; and
• developed and implemented a website for directorate HR managers and public sector entities to access Professional Standards Unit (PSU) case updates online for each of their matters on a weekly basis.

Testimonial

The directorate met three of four 2017-18 accountability targets against this output.

Two of the three projects of the Regulatory reform of ACTPS Employment Framework and processes indicator were not completed:

• ACTPS bargaining round negotiations of common terms and conditions of the ACTPS enterprise agreements were progressed during 2017-18 but were unable to be finalised by 30 June 2018 as expected. It is anticipated that agreement to the common core will be achieved early in the new financial year; and
• review of the whole of government flexible and home based work policies were progressed during 2017-18. Work during the year included analysing the flexible and home based work policies against best practice, as well as engaging and consulting with directorates. It is expected that the new policies for Activity Based Working and Remote Working Arrangements will be approved and published on the ACTPS Employment Portal early in the new financial year.

Future Direction

In 2018-19 the directorate will:

• drive organisational and cultural change through the Workforce Transformation Group to ensure workforce change readiness ahead of the completion of the Dickson and Civic Office blocks during 2020;
• provide advice and support for Activity Based Work initiatives within directorates;
• commence development of workforce planning across the ACTPS for entry level positions;
• support the ACT Government on the Select Committee on an Independent Integrity Commission Inquiry 2018 and finalise legislation for the ACT Government’s consideration and Legislative Assembly debate;
• continue to support the ACT Remuneration Tribunal to carry out its legislative responsibilities;
• continue to support training across the ACTPS including executive development programs;
• continue to maintain the employment framework comprising the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and the Public Sector Management Standards 2016;
• continue to support training across the ACT Public Service including executive development programs; and
• update the Annual Report Directions under the Annual Report (Government Agencies) Act 2004 for 2018-19 onwards.

Further information can be obtained from

Meredith Whitten
Deputy Director-General
Workforce Capability and Governance
+ 61 2 6205 5147
Meredith.Whitten@act.gov.au