Strong representation from CPSU has led to the Federal Government creating a specialist support unit to manage redeployment opportunities across the APS. The move is a response to growing concerns about the impact of expected budget cuts.
New career centre: In a speech to CPSU Governing Council in Canberra on 28 March, Senator John Faulkner, announced the creation of the Career Transition and Support Centre – a specialist support unit to manage and coordinate redeployment opportunities for APS staff affected by funding cuts.
What will it do? As part of the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), the centre will: provide career transition advice and support services to excess APS employees; assist with the redeployment of excess staff; and provide advice to agencies on recruitment and redeployment matters. It is expected to be operational by 1 May.
New redeployment principles: The Public Service Commissioner has issued agencies new advice for excess staffing arrangements. The APSC will also work directly with agencies to ensure redeployment opportunities for staff are enhanced.
Focus on staff retention: Speaking to CPSU delegates, Senator Faulker said: “We want to ensure that excess staff are provided with the opportunity to remain in the APS, that the APS is able to retain experienced and qualified staff and redeploy them to areas of need, and that the requirement for the compulsory retrenchment of staff is minimised.
“The Rudd Government is determined that the public service retains corporate knowledge, expertise and skilled workers and our approach will ensure the retention and reallocation of staff with skills essential for implementing the government’s new policy agenda,” he said.
CPSU response: CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones welcomed the announcements as a positive step. "CPSU has been campaigning for several months to secure the introduction of an effective whole-of-government redeployment process. This will go some way to reducing the anxiety many public servants are experiencing in the face of potential job cuts. The union will continue to work hard to make sure these new APSC principles are adhered to at the agency level and that public servants can access a full range of support and training services offered by the career centre,” he said.
I feel this is only lip service. I have been declared likely in excess and have accessed the CTS. I was advised that the HR area advised that the jobs are advertised and all applicants would have to put in an application in the usual way. In a private approach I made directly to another Dept, the Branch manager said the same thing - you need to apply and be considered with the rest. Another area where the Divisional and Branch Manager have been helpful, the interviewing staff indicated that the Secretary's commitment is to appoint internal staff.
Posted by:Annette Haridan - 30 Apr 2008, 9:52am
It's about time pragamtic developments re planning a career in the australian public service have truly been realised and implemented. I have been treated appallingly while recovering from a serious workplace acquired injury which has permanently changed my work abilities, and I have been forced to find alternative work while fighting to be reinstated in the Department of Health. redeployment to another department was not an option.
Posted by:Noni - 8 Apr 2008, 5:16pm
This is very short on detail and doesn't give any sort of comfort. I work a long, hard day now and the prospect of losing staff only makes the outlook very grim. Targetting Public Servants as a cost cutting exercise is self-defeating. The increase in staff going off on sick and/or stress leave will prove this. Thanks for nothing the Rudd Labor Government.
Posted by:Peter - 6 Apr 2008, 8:49pm
Well, now that we are affiliated and our officials have a substantial vote within the ALP they will decide whether to use it for the benefit of members or the factional carve up of the spoils of government and preselections.
I'm sure that we'll be seeing strong representation for adequate staffing, support and remuneration!
Posted by:Nandi - 4 Apr 2008, 12:54pm
I think its a great idea but how many positions and how ill they coordinate this
I feel this is only lip service. I have been declared likely in excess and have accessed the CTS. I was advised that the HR area advised that the jobs are advertised and all applicants would have to put in an application in the usual way. In a private approach I made directly to another Dept, the Branch manager said the same thing - you need to apply and be considered with the rest. Another area where the Divisional and Branch Manager have been helpful, the interviewing staff indicated that the Secretary's commitment is to appoint internal staff.
It's about time pragamtic developments re planning a career in the australian public service have truly been realised and implemented. I have been treated appallingly while recovering from a serious workplace acquired injury which has permanently changed my work abilities, and I have been forced to find alternative work while fighting to be reinstated in the Department of Health. redeployment to another department was not an option.
This is very short on detail and doesn't give any sort of comfort. I work a long, hard day now and the prospect of losing staff only makes the outlook very grim. Targetting Public Servants as a cost cutting exercise is self-defeating. The increase in staff going off on sick and/or stress leave will prove this. Thanks for nothing the Rudd Labor Government.
Well, now that we are affiliated and our officials have a substantial vote within the ALP they will decide whether to use it for the benefit of members or the factional carve up of the spoils of government and preselections.
I'm sure that we'll be seeing strong representation for adequate staffing, support and remuneration!
I think its a great idea but how many positions and how ill they coordinate this
How do you access this program?
Will we recive emails about the opportunities?
Do we have to be affected to be considered?