| CA wants ideas on retention
Volume 11, No. 51, September 07, 2006 By Sgt Damian Griffin
“WE NEED to improve our performance in recruiting and retention across the board.”
That’s the message from CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy as he put the issue under the microscope as Army now needs to recruit about 5000 more soldiers.
The 5000 takes into account the 1000 soldiers Army is currently deficient, the 1500 personnel increase announced by Government last December, plus the further 2600 troops needed for the two new battalions announced on August 24.
In an effort to find solutions to the issue of retention, Lt-Gen Leahy said that while Defence was considering issuing bonuses to some trades, he also wanted to hear from soldiers in critical trades what other inducements might sway them to offer more years of service.
“I want to know what’s going to keep you in,” he said.
He said proposals could include extra courses or trade equipment.
In addressing one of the key areas identified in the 2005 Attitude Survey as attributing to discharge he said he recognised the requirement for more posting stability, particularly with spouses working and an increased desire for leaving children in one school for their education.
“We’re coming clearly to the recognition that you recruit the soldier and retain the family,” he said.
To help alleviate posting instability, CA has issued a directive to ensure that each posting is for a minimum of three years, but reminded soldiers that the nature of the job requires postings.
“Because we are spread widely around the country, we can’t achieve absolute posting stability. So for those who want to go on with their careers, there will be a continued requirement to do that,” he said.
He said that in the future, Defence was trying to have fewer bases; with remaining bases being larger so that there was opportunity for postings from one unit to another, while remaining in one geographic area.
“Now that’s a really long term aspiration, which is hard to achieve because of the investment we have in facilities at the moment,” he said.
Soldiers wishing to suggest retention solutions within their trades can email the CA at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/ArmyWeb/sites/SpeaktoCA/ |
