DEFENCE WILL appoint a new head of HR and restructure its existing HR function as part of a $1 billion overhaul of its current approach to recruitment and retention
DEFENCE WILL appoint a new head of HR and restructure its existing HR function as part of a $1 billion overhaul of its current approach to recruitment and retention.
Defence will conduct an extensive search of the private and public sectors for a suitable candidate to head up the new HR function, which will focus on policy and planning of recruiting, retention, remuneration and reward, people development, leadership and the general working environment.
Defence will also review its HR staffing levels and implement a more logical breakup of HR, with a clear split between strategic HR and service delivery functions.
The restructure, which came about as a result of recommendations from the Defence Management Review Team, will align HR more closely with Defence’s strategic priorities and decision making.
“Defence will need a first-class HR function to meet its future challenges,”said Defence Minister Brendan Nelson.
“Greater focus is required on developing policies that will attract and develop people in the organisation. Professionalising the work force to ensure that we recognise and use their talents and training to the full needs to be a priority.”
Defence also needed to look at innovative solutions to ensure that people were motivated to perform at their best, he said.
Defence is in the early stages of developing the business model and reviewing business processes and systems ahead of the HR transformation.
One of the key aims of the Government’s $1 billion overhaul of Australian Defence Force (ADF) retention and recruitment is to extend its reach to a broader recruitment market and create more pathways to military careers through links with other organisations.
As part of this, Defence is running a pilot that will encourage the Job Network to work closely with Defence to help unemployed Australians into an defence force career.
“The six month trial will be undertaken in a number of regions throughout Australia and will better enable Job Network members to counsel job seekers about the many and varied ADF career and training opportunities,” Minister Nelson said.
Job Network members are currently being trained on the ADF career eligibility assessment process so that suitable candidates may be referred to defence force recruiting centres.
Applicants referred through the Job Network will need to meet the standard ADF entry requirements and enlistment in the full-time or Reserve elements of the Navy, Army or Air Force will remain entirely voluntary.
