FaCS' people strategies recognised
19/08/2004
Department of Family and Community Services (FaCSIA), Acting Secretary, Stephen Hunter, congratulated his department for winning an award at the ACT 2004 Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) Awards for Excellence in People Management.
'The AHRI Awards, presented tonight recognise FaCSIA' achievement in providing opportunities for trainees and mature age workers under its Compass Program and Mature Workers Strategy,' Mr Hunter said.
'The Compass Program, which has been running for six months, is an innovative approach to the recruitment of staff new to FaCSIA. It extends employment and development opportunities to our current staff, trainees who have no qualifications or work experience, and Graduates.
'The program targets staff's individual needs, including mentoring opportunities with senior executives, working with previous graduates, attending workshops and seminars on relevant issues and, if eligible, a chance to gain a nationally recognised qualification.
'The Mature Workers Strategy is the first comprehensive plan ever launched by a government department, which encourages and supports our valuable staff to continue working at FaCSIA beyond the age at which they would normally retire.
'We are also welcoming mature workers into FaCSIA through normal recruitment procedures. FaCSIA currently has 817 staff 45 years or older, or 39 percent of our 2096 total staffing. Over 10 per cent of new starters in the Compass Program in the last two years have been aged over 40.
'The programs will go a long way to providing more opportunities for all staff and for those wanting to begin a career within FaCSIA.
'I am very pleased that the department has been recognised by the Awards which clearly demonstrate FaCSIA' commitment to workplace diversity and participation, but we won't rest on our laurels, we will continue reviewing our strategies for FaCSIA people to ensure we meet the individual needs of our staff,' Mr Hunter said.
FaCSIA was one of five category finalists and will now go to the National Awards in October.