Corporate initiatives
Learning and development
In 2013–14, L&D initiatives included:
- Implementation of an online learning management system that greatly improved the effectiveness of L&D activities and allowed for the cost-effective extension of staff capabilities.
- Delivery of customer service and technical training that provided consistent customer service and diligent administration of Defence member entitlements.
- Delivery of the e-learning and face-to-face modules to align with new capabilities and business strategy. The e-learning modules enabled the continuous and consistent delivery of training to all staff.
- Delivery of a comprehensive induction program as part of the change in the housing allocation business. The program was supported by coaching to enhance day-to-day performance in line with leading industry methods.
- Delivery of leadership, performance management and personal effectiveness workshops to improve capabilities and results.
- Delivery of e-learning WHS induction modules to assist DHA to meet its obligations to staff and contractors.
Rewards and recognition
Staff achievement is rewarded through:
- Annual awards for excellence for exceptional individual staff performance in their respective business units.
- Service awards for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of employment with DHA.
- WOW awards that give staff the opportunity to recognise their colleagues' accomplishments.
Table 4: Annual awards for excellence 2013
Employee of the year |
|
|---|---|
| Finance | Glen Pearson |
Business unit recipients |
|
| Property Provisioning Group | James Wallace |
| P&TS | Myra Cooper |
| Riverina | Mark Nye |
| Nowra | Cathy Ricetti |
| Canberra | Chloe Taunton |
| Northern Territory region | Scott McNeill |
| Northern Queensland region | Lisa Kennedy |
| Ipswich region | Steven McMeikan |
| South Queensland region | Ron Davis |
| New South Wales region | Richard Archer |
| Sydney East | Frank Tripolone |
| Sydney West | Adrian Papahatzis |
| Victoria/Tasmania region | Tracy Richardson |
| South Australia region | Michelle Gill |
| Western Australia region | Kelly Kessels |
| Company Secretary's Office | Rachael Prior |
| Corporate Affairs | Ian Gregory |
| Sales and Marketing | Christina Agresta |
| Finance | Glen Pearson |
Corporate shared services
In 2013–14, CSS was set up to provide a consistent, responsive approach to the delivery of common corporate functions. The new team has brought together:
- Accounts Payable from Finance
- service desk from Business Solutions and Technology (BS&T)
- vehicle management and travel from Corporate Affairs, and
- ad hoc purchasing and minor asset management.
The combination of these functions in CSS facilitates cross training of staff, leading to greater coverage of functions, consistency and capacity to improve and refine processes.
The first phase was completed successfully and paved the way for further enhancements in the provision of internal services.
Staff health and wellbeing programs
In 2013–14, the staff wellbeing program grew to include the option to participate in a health screening assessment and a 10,000 steps challenge. Participation in the 10,000 steps challenge was well received with 213 staff members completing the challenge in December 2013. The employee assistance program, flu vaccinations, eye health and the quit smoking program were also maintained.
With the increased pace of work and change across the business, building levels of workplace resilience has been a priority. Information was provided to staff regularly to increase individual awareness of the risk of stress and fatigue.
Apprenticeship support scheme
The apprenticeship support scheme is in its fifth year of operation. The program has supported more than 20 apprentices in trades across Australia. This year, DHA celebrated the graduation of another five apprentices, bringing the total number of apprentices graduating under the scheme to 16. The program has been extended until June 2015 to fund current apprentices, enabling a further four apprentices to graduate.
