ASU responds to the Federal Governments’ review of the critical issues facing local government skills
24 March 2010
The ASU has lodged a submission with the Federal Department of Local Government and Infrastructure in response to their "Draft Local Government Workforce Strategy" paper provided to the Minister for Local Government Anthony Albanese and the Council of Australian Governments Steering Committee.
After the draft plan was released late last year the ASU noted a number of short comings in the draft paper, including its focus on professional areas of employment and professional associations. These concerns have been raised at a meeting with the Department and the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
The key points in the submission are:
1) Developing career paths supported by education and training for workers at all levels in local government.
2) Councils to employ more traineeships and apprentices directly and not leave it to group training companies.
3) A portability of service scheme and internal local government national jobs web site.
4) Promotion of women in local government.
5) Recognise the social impact and failures, particularly in skills and training that contracting out causes.
6) Career paths that can help school leavers and disadvantaged groups.
7) Recruitment of a diverse workforce.
8) Job and work redesign that favours skills and professional development.
9) Planning for the future needs of society to address an increased population, an aging work force and a society that expects more.
10) Increased government funding for local government as well as an end to rate pegging in states that continue to use it.
Submission located at http://www.asu.asn.au/media/asu-response-fedgovt-lg-workforcestrategy2010-0304.pdf
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