PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DETERMINED TO BE 'RELEVANT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' UNDER REGULATION 11 OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT ACT

Yes, the Notice of Vacancies is ONLINE

Changes to the old system include:

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  Access from home or public computers
  
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  Vacancy numbers for every Vacancy
  
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  Vacancy numbers no longer sequential
  
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  Basic and advanced search functions to help you navigate the vacancies
  
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  PSM Act, SAHC Act, Other Public Sector and Weekly Paid vacancies listed together
  
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  Automatic email notification about new vacancies
  

This edition of Public Sector Snapshots features recent initiatives, awards and updates from the South Australian Public Sector. This month’s inspiring stories are:

• Douglas Mawson Institute of Technology Interactive Induction Package

• DTUPA Launches Portfolio Youth Website: YouthNet

• Infrastructure SA Helps to Create Major New Industrial Park

• New Public Trustee Online Form Making Things Simpler

We are interested in receiving feedback about the types of articles you would like to read. Also, if you have any suggestions for topics of interest which are happening in your Department and could be included as a Snapshots article, please provide these to the Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment by email to snapshots@saugov.sa.gov.au or fax Rebecca Freeborn on 8226 2888.

The Douglas Mawson Institute of Technology (DMIT) Human Resources Unit has developed a systematic and comprehensive online system of induction for all employees at DMIT.

The development of a new induction package for the Institute arose as a strategic HR initiative in order to enhance the quality and efficiency of induction and provide a value added service. The initiative was also in direct response to feedback from DMIT’s annual client satisfaction survey and DMIT’s ISO accreditation audit report.

The package has allowed for:

• induction to be undertaken in a 4 stage process

• information to be delivered in a fun, interesting and interactive way with more employee involvement, rather than the traditional approach of induction where ‘management talks/ employee listens’

• the use of games, visuals and animation

• the utilisation of technology and computer based learning

On Friday 8 March 2002 the Human Resources Unit launched the Interactive Induction Package at the Port Adelaide Campus. Managers, staff, Executive and Advisory Board members were invited to attend and view this new package.

Ambra White, HR Manager, welcomed everyone and opened the launch with some information about the planning and background of the project. Tanja Cvijetic, the project officer responsible for the development of the project, provided a demonstration and overview of the online package assisted by Garrie Craig, OHSW Coordinator.

The package uses a variety of media including voice over, graphics, and animation and encompasses a database tracking system which monitors employees’ progress over three months and reminds individuals with an email message if certain stages have not been commenced within an allocated time frame. Checklists and an induction kit have also been developed to assist managers and employees with the process. In addition, on line evaluation forms have been built into the package to allow for continuous improvement.

Mandatory OHSW training has been identified by the OHSW Unit and embedded into the induction program with an element of fun. An animated character called Wes has been developed to facilitate the OHSW training covering 3 areas: Hazard Management, Accident Reporting and Investigation and OHSW Legislation. Also included is mandatory training in Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace identified by the Access and Equity Network.

More than 60 guests attended the launch and the induction package was well received with very positive feedback given to the HR Unit.

DMIT is now among the very few organisations that have developed a truly interactive induction package. This initiative is in keeping with the Institute’s technology focus.

For further information about DMIT’s interactive induction package please contact Ambra White at ambraw@dmi.tafe.sa.edu.au or on (08) 8207 2804, or Tanja Cvijetic at tanjcvij@dmi.tafe.sa.edu.au or on (08) 8207 2817.

In March 2002, The Department for Transport, Urban Planning and the Arts (DTUPA) launched the first Portfolio Youth Website called YouthNet.

A group of young people from DTUPA have developed the website to provide easily accessible information on a wide range of issues including:

• What’s happening in DTUPA

• Hints and Tips for graduates including career assistance

• Links to sites providing work and social events

The team is made up of members from a number of DTUPA agencies including Peter Cornish, Piero Sparapani, Steve Sibonis, Lauren Rauda, Lara Campbell, Janet Holly, Rebekah Waterhouse and Kelly Markos, with Stephanie Ziersch, Manager Policy, DTUPA, as the executive sponsor for the project.

The YouthNet team see the website providing young people in DTUPA with the opportunity to make contributions to the site and have a say on topics they wish to discuss. The site also intends to provide opportunities for young people to get to know each other and establish valuable networks.

The team has collected various articles and information relating to initiatives and programs that DTUPA has in progress and information that will be useful to DTUPA youth. All this and more can be seen when you visit YouthNet!

To view the website please go www.in.dtupa.sa.gov.au and tell us what you think, or alternatively you can contact Piero Sparapani by email on piero.sparapani@transport.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8343 2430 for more information.

The development is the outcome of collaboration between the Commonwealth Department of Defence, the Salisbury Council and the South Australian Department of Industry and Trade’s Infrastructure SA division.

The Infrastructure SA staff working on the project include Lance Park and Chris Kaufman, Project Managers, David Litchfield, Director Resources Development, Brett Fundak, Senior Project Officer, and Jill Boundey, Project Officer.

‘This will become Australia's prime location for applied research and advanced manufacturing with a clear focus on innovation, collaboration and competitive development,’ says Dr. Andrew Scott, the division’s Executive Director.

‘We've got a range of industries coming to Edinburgh Parks, including automotive suppliers and manufacturers in direct relationship with Holden, such as Air International, which is investing $32 million, and defence industries, such as BAE Systems, which is investing up to $20 million. We're also targeting transportation, warehousing, freight and distribution networks.’

When completed in about 20 years, Edinburgh Parks is expected to be home to as many as 20,000 workers and dozens of manufacturers and research organisations. This will create a dynamic industry cluster providing products and services to customers across the road and across the world.

‘Edinburgh Parks is a great location, close to the Adelaide-Darwin railway line, with excellent transport links, and access to major clients such as Holden and the Department of Defence. And that really makes Edinburgh Parks a fairly unique project’, says Dr. Scott.

Infrastructure SA used local graffiti artists to paint the bridge leading out of Edinburgh Parks into the premises of Holden Pty Ltd. The mural of local scenes and issues not only reduced maintenance costs, it also created jobs for unemployed and volunteer artists. It is fast becoming a local icon.

Further information about Edinburgh Parks can be found at www.edinburghparks.com.au, or please contact Dr. Scott on (08) 8303 2024 or email andrew.scott@state.sa.gov.au




Photo: Infrastructure SA’s Edinburgh Parks Project Managers Lance Park and Chris Kaufmann, and Project Officer Jill Boundey in front of some of the artwork decorating the bridge connecting Edinburgh Parks to Holden’s premises.



The Public Trustee has made additions to its website which has made things more efficient for Client Services Officers and Public Trustee clients alike. The introduction of the Will Instruction Request form on the Public Trustee website has made the process of preparing professional wills for clients easier. The form works as a checklist to help people conveniently gather the information necessary to prepare their will in the privacy and comfort of their own home. This new technology has provided a win-win situation for all.

Once the Will Instruction Request form has been completed online, it is sent directly to Public Trustee Client Services Officers through its secure website. Public Trustee officers review the client’s personal information and arrange an appointment with the client at one of the many metropolitan and regional locations. Finalising the preparation of the client’s will is done at no cost, with Public Trustee as the nominated executor.

Clients often cannot recall important details, such as full names of beneficiaries, the address of each beneficiary or which superannuation fund they have invested in. The Will Instruction form provides clients with the time and convenience to collect the necessary information and allows the Client Service Officers to prepare a will more accurately and efficiently. The process has become a lot simpler with a more professional outcome.

Public Trustee’s Client Service Officers have already experienced the benefits of the new technology. The internet has allowed the officers to respond to many different requests. Requests can include information on specific trustee requirements through to organising an appointment. A Client Services Officer reported, ‘I feel the Will Instruction Request form has helped with these diverse requests. I have found that many people appreciate the convenience of the form online. The form makes it simpler to collect the necessary information for the preparation of a client’s will. It gives more time in an appointment for me to explain the will and answer questions that the clients may have.’

With the help of consumers and the Client Service Officers, the form has been designed to be user friendly, simple and able to collect essential details for the preparation of a fast and accurate will.

For further information about the Public Trustee or to trial the Will Instruction Request form please log onto www.publictrustee.sa.on.net A Client Services Officer can be contacted by telephone on (08) 8226 9204 at webmaster@saugov.sa.gov.au

Appeal rights are only available to all employees of administrative units under the Public Sector Management Act with the exception of those employees employed on temporary, casual or longer term contracts who have 12 months or less continuous employment within the Public Service. Appeal rights are also available to:

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  officers appointed under the Parliament (Joint Services) Act, 1985, including officers of either House of Parliament or a person under the separate control of the President of the Legislative Council or the Speaker of the House of Assembly;
  

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  employees of the MFP Development Corporation to whom such rights have been extended by a proclamation of the Governor under Section 71 of the Public Sector Management Act and who retain such rights.