Department of Parliamentary Services Organisation Development Unit
VPS Learning and Development Network Meeting Friday 15th June 2012 K Room – Parliament House Meeting opened at 9.30 am with Voula Andritsos in the Chair.
Present: Gareth Sambrook (VCAT) Gillian Fleming (DPC) Jessica Sanders (DTF) Karen Hartig (DHS) Michael Smith (Parks Victoria) Natasha Polatidis (DPC) Stuart Croom (CFA) Veronica Lopez (VLDC) Annie Bell (VCAT – Work Expeirence) Ayoub Omer (VCAT – Work Experience) Sangeeta Gill – (PoV)
Welcome and Introduction
Staff from the VPS L&D Network were welcomed with introductions. The procedures for the day were outlined. Plain English Foundation - A Case Study •
This was presented by Liz Choat, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly Procedure Office has produced a series of Fact Sheets that explain Parliamentary procedure and terminology. Liz spoke about this procedure, proc and indicated the changes that took place in order for the Legislative Assembly to meet the Foundation’s Plain English Standard at a Gold level in 2011.
Updates from VPS Business Units and other related Learning and Development Matters: Gareth Sambrook from VCAT : •
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VCAT are reverting back to a basic culture of learning and development, and have developed a 5 year strategy that includes budget implementations. In the immediate first 12 months, VCAT have finalised a strategic plan with a built in budget to see what is achievable. Put together a draft budget of $155,000, which is 30% more than the budget used in the 11-12 12 financial year. Gareth is also involved in an I.T system development to which allows for accuracy in regards to sessional members’, member theirir hours worked and timesheet
Minutes – VPS Learning and Development Network Meeting Friday 15 June 2012
Michael Smith from Parks Victoria:
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Developing division skills. Managing what employees expect from their line managers. New E-learning modules o Procurement o
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Government Legislation External contractors were brought in
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities. To promote Parks Victoria, and continue to make sure it is, and seen as, relevant for Victorians. Training staff to consider engaging with communities. Doing this by E-learning modules.
Veronica Lopez from VLDC:
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Welcoming new Executive Leadership Development Program. Execs get their leadership strengths and weaknesses identified. The Program also includes “On the job” performance skills and how to work efficiently with their teams. o
• DOJ: • • •
Working closely with their managers and Secretaries so individuals can reach their development goals.
Budget for next financial year.
Managing workforce after redundancy and voluntary packages. Developing strategies to place individuals in suitable roles after restructure. VL Returning to DOJ in August
Jessica Sanders from DTF :
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Planning phase for next 12 months, Budget cuts so there is a need to become creative. There is less of a focus on ‘training’ but more ‘on the job training’ (70/20/10 model) Learning and Development for Managers – short sharp training rather than long one day courses. Again more focused on ‘peer learning Compliance training (defined as OH&S, Equal Opportunity) – At the moment DTF is doing this online. Jessica asked how other Departments are implementing this; Voula – brought the training in house. Voula was trained in “Adobe captivate” to eliminate an outside contractor being brought in. MS indicated that Parks get an external provider because they deliver a higher quality
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Minutes – VPS Learning and Development Network Meeting Friday 15 June 2012
Stuart Croom from CFA:
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Continuous restructure. Trying to disentangle the two training types o Operations training o Non operations training
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Induction and compliance training is done online. The HR department at the CFA are trying to enforce the importance of speaking with employees, rather than simply handing out procedure/guidelines.
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Leadership Development Committee – o o o
Trying to incorporate both the operational and non- operational side of the CFA. Listening to what people want in terms of Learning and Development i.e. List of courses relevant to career path Professional Support Staff are the ones who lose out on training because of their small non-operational staff budget.
Karen Hartig from DHS:
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Stage of reviewing tenders is now in place As there is now no Departmental Secretary - the Staff Survey for needs and services which was to be sent out, is now on hold. Everything is on hold until new Secretary is instated, and understanding budgetary issues for the Department. Leadership and Professional Development - implied in current budget and will be charged to individual cost centres, to minimise the risk of attendees not turning up. SC from the CFA stated that they have now started charging cost centres for people who don’t show up to their courses. Ensuring that cost centres are spending allocated money on Learning and Development, rather than on events such as annual meetings.
Natasha Polatidis from DPC: • A revised Performance management system, which was developed from the DSE model, is now going to be conducted online. Conducting Performance Management online will eliminate barriers and allow all employees to view their Performance Plans easily online. • Natasha has offered to demonstrate what the Performance management system will look like in a presentation at the next L&D meeting.
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Minutes – VPS Learning and Development Network Meeting Friday 15 June 2012
Gillian Fleming from DPC:
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DPC is undertaking a project to develop a leadership capability framework for Executive Officers and Senior Technical Specialists. The proposed DPC Leadership Capability Framework describes the critical, behavioural capabilities for high performance in leadership roles within DPC. It is underpinned by our values, priorities and business goals. The VLDC VPS framework has guided the development of the draft leadership capabilities.
Other Items discussed during this section of the Network Meeting: •
Government providers Training Panel to be used across the VPS
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Participants enjoyed a tour of Parliament House and the Library, and had the opportunity to view and sit in both House Chambers.
NEXT MEETING: Hosts DPC – Gillian Fleming and Natasha Polatidis Meeting closed at 12:30
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