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Have a say on your career
By WGCDR Sharon Bolitho

Volume 49, No. 5, April 05, 2007
 
RECORD YOUR VIEW: Air Force members are invited to provide submissions on how to improve career management as part of the Strategic Career Management Framework. Pictured is clerk LACW Rachel Wilson on the job at DP-AF.
Photo by WOFF David Pang
 
IF YOU want input into your Defence career and its management, then it’s time to put your hand up and be involved in the consultation process of the Strategic Career Management Framework (SCMF).

The SCMF is due to be completed by June and is part of the comprehensive $1 billion recruitment and retention package announced by Prime Minister John Howard on December 15 to boost full-time ADF personnel.

This represents the first phase of a new ADF retention and recruitment strategy to meet the challenge of sustaining and growing Defence’s military workforce.

“The mention of career management often evokes a strong reaction among Service people,” SCMF project team manager AIRCDRE Ken Birrer said.

“Career management touches all of us, from postings to career development and promotion. It also affects our spouses, partners and children.

“The financial initiatives are necessarily focused on Navy and Army because Air Force retention remains at record levels and we are achieving well in recruiting. However, we know from surveys and other data that non-financial issues like career management are, at least, as important in retaining Service members,” he said.

The team is interested in the perspectives of the wider Defence community about career management within the ADF and is committed to consultation with Service personnel.

Air Force members are invited to provide submissions on their views, experiences and ideas about improving career management.

“Views will also be welcome from spouses, children and all with an interest in career management,” AIRCDRE Birrer said.

“The confidentiality of all submissions will be assured and will be for the sole purpose of the project.”

Key principles of the framework will be supporting individual members to be their own career managers by providing flexibility and choice; and giving the Service Chiefs greater flexibility to manage their workforces effectively.

The SCMF also encompasses Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for personnel with alternative career experiences before joining or re-joining the ADF and the development of a Work/Life Balance Benchmark to measure the impact of working in the ADF on the family lives of Service members. These have been included in the project because of their close links to career management.

“The project aims to develop a strategic framework that sets out the common policy and procedural envelope for career management of all Service personnel,” AIRCDRE Birrer said.

“It intends to provide career management that better meets the needs of Service people and their Services in the future.

“Issues like stability of location, career models, sub-streaming, and posting and promotion policy and processes will also be considered.”

Submissions may be sent by email to Maria Avellaneda (SCMF project team) at maria.avellaneda@defence.gov.au by April 13. Alternatively, submissions may be sent by mail to: Strategic Career Management Framework Project Workforce Planning Branch, Unit 5, 101 Tennant Street, Fyshwick ACT 2609. Inquiries should be directed to Elizabeth Perrin on (02) 6127 4147.