Clerk revamp
Volume 48, No. 17, Sepetember 21, 2006
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CAREER PROGRESS: With the new career structure, clerks will gain accredited competencies as they progress in their career. Pictured is Amberley-based clerk, SGT Angela Smylie, on Operation Astute. Photo by CPL Bernard Pearson. |
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| Briefing Timetable
September 21 – Amberley
September 25 – Edinburgh
September 27 – Pearce
October 10 – East Sale
October 12 – Melbourne
October 13 – Hobart
October 16 – Canberra. |
THERE is no doubt that today’s Air Force is leaner and has more highly skilled and better educated personnel who are often called upon to undertake a greater span of roles and duties than ever before.
Continuous and significant changes of administrative procedures and systems within Air Force form part of the challenges administrative personnel face, and as a result, training systems and operating practices are difficult to keep current.
Air Force has responded to this challenge with a revised Occupational Specification (OS) and revamp of the clerk training system. This was initiated by the Directorate of Military Administration-Air Force to capture both current and future capability requirements and to provide flexible training systems to cater for changes.
The contemporary clerk represents an expanded capability that can meet emerging organisational expectations and challenges.
Competency-based training and assessment, and the introduction of a competency journal, are part of the roll-out of a new clerk career structure for both permanent and Reservist clerks.
The competency journal, which is part of the Record of Training and Employment process, will enable clerks to be more effectively employed in their mustering, provide an effective professional development management tool and contain the evidence to support the awarding of qualifications and statements of attainment.
“The revision of the clerk OS has been a long time coming and represents the most significant change since the amalgamation of the clerical mustering,” Director of Military Administration-Air Force GPCAPT Andrew Elfverson said.
“The move to competency-based training and assessment means that as clerks progress through their career they will be gaining nationally accredited competencies — a huge step forward.
“Part of the process has involved formally assessing subject matter experts (SMEs) so that they in turn can assess others. The first SME is WOFF Mike Hinton, referred to as the ‘grandfather’, as he is now empowered to assess others and grant SME status.”
During the roll-out process, all clerks and supervisors will be briefed on their responsibilities for the care, management and use of the competency journal (see timetable above).
For more information on the revised Clerk Occupational Specification, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/DMA-AF
