Features
Form guides improvements
By PLTOFF Justin Cox

Edition 5009, 31 May, 2007
 
THANKS: The Occupational Analysis form filled out by Navy personnel has been of great help.
 
The Sea Change Implementation Team (SCIT), on behalf of the Chief of Navy, would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to complete an Occupational Analysis (OA) form, in particular those who provided invaluable written feedback in the survey. This additional information gives context to the OA and highlights the issues that concern our people. This detailed analysis is the first step towards achieving the Sea Change Workforce Renewal Project 1 to identify the best workforce structures and functions needed to meet current and future Navy capability requirements. The process will also build on the OA studies already undertaken for a number of the sailor categories across a variety of environments.

The final Whole of Ship Occupational Analysis (WOS OA) Report from the Directorate of Strategic Personnel and Planning (DSPPR) will provide information for the future analysis of the naval workforce. Data covered in the report includes the following:
  • 3656 valid returned surveys.
  • Rank ranged from SMN to CAPT.
  • Predominant rank for Sailors was AB (1389 personnel).
  • Predominant rank for Officers was LEUT (193 personnel).
  • Predominant category/PQs were:
    • Category, MT (795 personnel); and
    • PQ, SMN (249 personnel) and PWO (68 personnel).
  • Number of respondents per Class of ship:
    • FFG (704 personnel);
    • FFH (1,122 personnel);
    • LPA (421 personnel);
    • AOR (235 personnel);
    • Submarine (159 personnel);
    • LSH (172 personnel);
    • ACPB (184 personnel);
    • FCPB (88 personnel);
    • MCM (230 personnel);
    • LCH (92 personnel); and
    • Survey (157 personnel).

During the analysis of the surveys, groups of personnel performing WOS tasks were compared based on rank, category/PQ and class of ship. The purpose was to identify the tasks performed by the majority of members for each group and the tasks that differentiated one work group from another. Comparisons indicated that all groups performed a significant number of Whole of Ship and Administration tasks in common. The differences between the Categories/PQs tended to relate to category specific tasks.

  • The class of ship comparison suggested that all classes performed a significant number of common tasks.
  • A trend showing that the more junior the Officer or Sailor the more time was spent performing Whole of Ship Duties.
  • Comparison based on rank showed that as rank increased so did the number of tasks performed. The additional tasks were mostly supervisory tasks.
  • As rank increases the time spent on Administration tasks increases accordingly.
  • As rank increases the time spent on Whole of Ship Duties decreases accordingly.
  • The analysis identified the number of members performing each task listed in the survey.

Analysis of the “Your Comments” section has grouped respondents comments into the following themes; Remuneration, Training, Management, Lifestyle, Standards, Surveys, Work and Discharge. The “In-Confidence” analysis of these comments will help to guide further analysis that will be considered to improve service life and conditions.

Further feedback to all Navy members on how the report analysis is progressing, and intended strategic changes based upon the data respondents provided, will follow in future Navy News editions.

For more information or updates on Sea Change, visit the Sea Change link via the DRN at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/seachange/

 
CONSENSUS: Techo’s feel no-one is listening to their retention related concerns.
 
Do you hear there!
Retention talk

Q) From ABET Joshua Roney: Hey Sea Change, Just reading the Techos (Discussion) Database. It is again filled with issues relating to the retention of technical sailors in the RAN. Judging by the general consensus of the comments posted there, personnel feel that no-one is listening or even cares about what they are saying. Some are very constructive comments about retention and not just general ‘whinges’. I am not sure how often you guys read the database, but I suggest that someone responds accordingly and gives some reassurance that something is being done.

A) From CMDR Darron Kavanagh: The Techo’s database is monitored daily for all content by members of DNPR(E&L). Often it is reviewed at various times throughout each day. It is also monitored by personnel from Sea Change if they have placed a thread on the database. They obviously only look at the responses to the question they have posed. DNPR(E&L) staff monitor all threads and provide all relevant information that falls within our jurisdiction. If we feel some valid retention initiatives have been raised we advise the sailors to enter their information into SCIMARS and provide the necessary links. We also have the ability to remove any discussion items that fall outside the guidelines for the database.

 
LAW OF THE SEA: LEUT Cortiana was admitted as Legal Practitioner at the Supreme Court.
Photo: LSPH Joanne Edwards
 
Legal sea eagle soars
By Rachel Irving

The sky is the limit for Navy’s newest legal eagle in Western Australia, sworn in to the Supreme Court of WA last week.

LEUT Sarah-Jane Cortiana was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in WA, the culmination of years of hard study for the University of Wollongong graduate.

“It’s a big day and a big relief after all the hard work,” LEUT Cortiana said after the ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Wayne Martin.

“It’s a culmination of not only six years of Uni study but also four years of Navy.”

LEUT Cortiana said she was lured to the Navy by the chance to study international law and the law of the sea.

“I couldn’t think of anywhere better to study law of the sea than in the Navy,” she said.

“There is not much scope to study and practise international law in the civilian community. I think there are a broader range of opportunities in the Navy than there would be in a firm.”