Building HR / IR Capability
Within the Northern Territory Public Service (NTPS) there are several hundred staff who work in the field of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (HR/IR).
Very often when something goes wrong, a significant event or change occurs, or a simple query is raised relating to workforce, these are the first people we turn to for advice, direction and support. They are also key players in setting the strategic workforce agenda and tasked with planning for a workforce for the future.
It is in everyone's interests that the NTPS supports a strong, confident and capable HR/IR community. NTPS agencies have a variety of internal supporting activities to build their HR/IR talent and these web pages are intended to compliment agency specific programs.
This diagram presents the range of activities that can help to build the capability of the NTPS HR/IR Community. Click on one of the discs to take a closer look at the opportunities available to you as a HR practitioner or assist you in building your team's HR and IR capabilities.
OCPE forums, workshops and information sessions
OCPE runs a number of informal workshops and information sessions. Keep an eye on the OCPE website for upcoming topics of interest.
OCPE 2012 HR/IR Courses
The following short courses will be offered in 2012, dates are to be advised. For further information email enquiries.ocpe@nt.gov.au.
- NTPS Employment Framework
This session provides an overview of the employment legislation in place in the NT public sector, incorporating Commonwealth and
Northern Territory sources. - Job Evaluation System Overview
An overview of the JES system so HR practitioners can understand what it is and why it is used. - Preparing Submissions to the Commissioner for Public Employment
A background to the types of submissions that are put to the OCPE and the evidence based assessments that aid in their determination. - Executive Contracts
An overview of the standard NTPS Executive Contract - Discipline
Information session to include PSEMA amendments, including impacts on Employment Instructions - Management of Grievances
Strategies for managing staff who are formally and informally excess to the needs of an Agency. - Termination of Employment
This session covers the essential elements of termination within the NTPS to prevent action being taken to the Australian Industrial
Relations Commission. It also covers the process that occurs in the AIRC when a termination is challenged. - Impact of the Fair Work Act on the NTPS
Non-accredited studies and Continuing Professional Development
There are many organisations that provide learning opportunities. Usually you don't have to be a member to access their training calendar.
Some providers include:
Agency specific forums, workshops and information sessions
Many agencies, particularly larger ones will run internal HR/IR training and information sessions on a range of topics for example,
Leadership, Cross Cultural, Performance Management, Capability and Leadership Framework and OH&S. Contact your HR Team,
they will be able to let you know what is available in your own agency.
Public Sector Training Package
Government Skills Australia (GSA) is a national Industry Skills Council for the government and community safety sectors representing
the Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the workforce interests of Correctional Services, Local Government, Public Safety,
Public Sector and Water.
GSA provides industry intelligence on skill needs and training solutions to the Australian Government to develop a skilled workforce.
GSA services industry through the provision of quality training products and qualifications, workforce development and career advice.
PSP04 Public Sector Training Package Version 4 has now been endorsed by the National Quality Council. The package is available
online at: http://www.governmentskills.com.au/industry.php?industry_id=5
There are 3 key Specialist Units of Competency that may be of interest to the HR/IR community:
- Human Resource Management
- Workplace Relations
- Management
These are available in Volume 4 of the Public Sector Training Package
In March 2011, a survey investigating the HR/IR Capability of the Northern Territory Public Service was undertaken by GSA in
partnership with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment. The purpose of this survey was to capture workforce
influencers and the training and development needs of our HR/IR Community, in order to inform direction and actions to build a more
capable and responsive HR/IR industry for the NTPS. A summary of this report can be obtained on the NTPS HR Community
SharePoint intranet site (this is an internal site). If you are an NTPS employee and seek access please email swpd.ocpe@nt.gov.au.
Mobility, secondments and development opportunities
Taking part in a developmental assignment is a great way to develop through on-the-job learning. A developmental assignment
provides employees with an alternative work experience that allows for ongoing experiential learning in a job they may not have all the
skills and knowledge for.
These temporary opportunities can be set up within an agency, between agencies or with organisations outside the NTPS. It can include
things like mobility, secondments and special projects. Learn more about Mobility in the NTPS.
Also keep an eye on the NTPS HR Community SharePoint intranet site for short and long term development opportunities. If you are
an NTPS employee and seek access please email swpd.ocpe@nt.gov.au.
DBE short courses
DBE run a range of short courses that the HR/IR community can tap into including staff selection, job analysis and design. For more
information you can access their training calendar at: http://www.trainingandemploymentprograms.nt.gov.au/
Accredited studies in VET and higher education institutions
A diverse range of accredited courses are available to HR/IR practitioners in order to increase capability.
Charles Darwin University offers a range of Vocational Education and Training (VET), Undergraduate Graduate and Post Graduate
programs that the HR/IR community can tap into. The most common accredited program in this field is BSB50607 Diploma of
Human Resource Management.
There are also a number of individual units of study that you can attend as a one-off. These include MAN211 Human Resource
Management, MAN302 Industrial Relations and PRBM021 Human Resource Management. Students may enrol as a full fee paying
student in individual Under Graduate and Post Graduate Units. For more information access their websites at:
MAN211 Human Resource Management