CAREER CHANGE
Web portal to ‘increase transparency of Personnel Management System’

Corporal Lisa Snell, a CISCON at the Directorate of Security and Policing, visits the new People Central portal. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

By LACW Simone Liebelt

A NEW initiative known as People Central is set to change the way Air Force does business by providing members with greater input into the management of their own careers.

CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston officially launched the new web-based portal in Canberra on March 29, marking it as a significant development in meeting the continuing needs of Air Force personnel now and in the future.

People Central is a “one-stop shop” of relevant, up-to-date career information available in plain English to anyone with a DRN logon and access to the PMKeyS Self Service page. It is currently not available via the Internet. Little more than a concept 12 months ago, the interface was developed into an essential career management and communication tool to keep members informed of important issues and opportunities affecting their careers.

Similar to PMKeyS, the system recognises the member after login, displaying their personal career details including their current posting preferences and proposed posting date.

Director General Personnel-Air Force Air Commodore Ken Birrer said People Central would greatly increase the transparency of the Personnel Management System, resulting in a powerful but easy-to-use communication tool.

“Members have consistently stated in surveys that they would like far greater input into the management of their own careers,” AIRCDRE Birrer said.

“People Central provides simple, open and transparent access to a wide range of career management information to enable members and their families to make informed decisions about the path they want their future to take.

“It is one of several tools that will enable members to manage their own careers in partnership with their commanders and personnel managers. But like any tool, it is no good to anyone if it stays in its box.

“The success of People Central depends totally on people logging in regularly and looking through the dynamic areas of the portal to access the up-to-date information on things that affect them.”

A range of options within the portal allows members to explore various avenues of interest including job opportunities in their preferred locality when they are due for posting or expressions of interest for remuster or ANYA positions.

They can find out how to join the Reserves, apply for education schemes, commission or exchange programs, or learn how the promotion or discharge system works. They can also access outside agencies, such as DHA or DCO, from the links page.

People Central also provides a forum for personnel managers to communicate specific career information to targeted groups of people, for example, notifying suppliers about a deployment opportunity or reminding all squadron leaders that their reports are due for the next promotion board.

People Central can be accessed through the PMKeyS Self Service web page under Menu/PSS and Reporting Solution. Those who have not received or have lost their password should contact the Defence Service Centre on 1800 000677 and request a password reset for the blue PMKeyS Self Service web site.

Taking ownership of PMKeyS

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