Aboriginal Traineeship Program - Public Sector Commission · Aboriginal Traineeship Program (ATP) - an integrated employment, training and mentoring support service that is centrally

GOVERNMENT OFWESTERN AUSTRALIA

GOVERNMENT OFWESTERN AUSTRALIA

Aboriginal Traineeship ProgramPolicy

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IntroductionThe Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2011–2015 was launched by the Public Sector Commission (PSC) in October 2011 and outlines an approach to long term, sustainable employment opportunities and career pathways for Aboriginal people in the WA public sector.

An initiative of the Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2011–2015 is the establishment of the Aboriginal Traineeship Program (ATP) - an integrated employment, training and mentoring support service that is centrally coordinated and funded by PSC.

From 2012 to 2015, PSC will employ up to 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to undertake a Government traineeship in the WA public sector in both metropolitan and regional centres.

This policy will outline the process to establish and coordinate ATP.

Aboriginal Traineeship ProgramATP is an employment-based training initiative that provides young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 25 years of age and under, with an opportunity to develop public administration skills and competencies through a Government traineeship.

On successful completion of the Government traineeship, participants will receive a nationally and industry recognised qualification – Certificate II, III or IV in Government.

ATP is intended to be a collaborative arrangement between PSC and selected WA public sector agencies, whereby PSC will coordinate and fund the Government traineeship placement and selected agencies will host (via a secondment arrangement) a trainee/s for the duration of the Government traineeship.

Selected agencies will provide trainees with suitable on-the-job training relevant to the trainees units of competence. Selected agencies and trainees will be able to access mentoring, coaching and support services by contacting PSC’s Aboriginal Employment Support Officers.

Public Sector CommissionRecruit, select and appoint

trainees

Fund trainee salary and training

Provides mentoring, coaching and support services via Aboriginal Employment

Support Officers

Selected WA public sector agencies

Provide suitable on-the-job training, supervision and

guidance to Trainee/s

Identifying ongoing employment for trainees on successful completion or traineeship

TraineeUndertake a Certificate II, III or

IV in Government

Successfully complete qualifications

Original artwork courtesy of Deborah Newenham, Mediator, Department of the Attorney General

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Refer to Attachment one (1) for a comprehensive overview of roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.

IntakesATP will include a number of intakes over the life of the three (3) year program.

Metropolitan

trainee placements

Regional

trainee placements2011/2012 Up to 30 Up to 302012/2013 Up to 50 Up to 302013/2014 Up to 40 Up to 102014/2015 Up to 30 Up to 10

RecruitmentPSC will seek expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply for ATP, as required.

ATP will be advertised through a variety of mediums and may include:

• www.jobs.wa.gov.au

• Noongar Radio

• The West Australian

• The Koori Mail

• Community Newspapers

• www.seek.com.au

• Aboriginal Workforce Development Centres

• Job Network Providers specialising in Aboriginal employment.

ATP will be advertised as an appointment pool / suitability list.

SelectionPSC will coordinate the selection process for ATP. To be eligible to apply for ATP, candidates must be:

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

• 25 years of age or under

Suitability to undertake a Government traineeship will be determined by the candidate’s:

• Resume

• Performance at interview.

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Appointment and secondmentCandidates who are deemed suitable to undertake a Government traineeship will be employed by PSC on a fixed-term contract of appointment, in line with section 64(1)(b) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.

Trainees will be seconded, in line with section 66 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, to selected WA public sector agencies located in both metropolitan and regional WA.

Under the terms of the secondment, PSC will meet all salary and training costs for the trainee.

Pre-Traineeship ProgramSelected trainees will undertake a Pre-Traineeship Program for a period of four (4) days. The Pre-Traineeship Program will be delivered by a selected Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and will provide trainees with workplace readiness skills prior to formally commence the Government traineeship within the host agency.

Registration of traineesPSC will identify an Australian Apprenticeship Centre to register the trainees within 21 days of appointment.

The selected RTO will work with individual trainees and their supervisors to develop a Training Plan Outline.

Agency selectionPSC will seek expressions of interest at various times of the year inviting public sector agencies to apply to host/second a trainee. PSC will assess agency applications against the following criteria:

• Ability to provide ongoing employment

• Previous experience in successfully training and retaining trainees

• Ability to provide a culturally appropriate workplace and trainee supervisor

• Ability to provide work suitable for a trainee to meet their units of competence for a Certificate in Government

Trainee wagesTrainees will be paid by PSC in line with the Department of Commerce’s Circular to Departments and Authorities No. 6 of 2011 – Rates of Pay for Public Sector Trainees.

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Human resource arrangementsPSC will be the employer of trainees, however, will enter into a secondment arrangement with selected WA public sector agencies for the duration of the Government traineeship.

PSC will be responsible for the administration of trainee wages, terms and conditions of employment and trainee entitlements.

Refer to Attachment two (2) for a comprehensive outline of the human resource arrangements for trainees.

Ongoing employmentPrior to the completion of the Government traineeship, PSC will contact host agencies to confirm the ongoing employment arrangements identified by the host agency for their trainee.

Preferred ongoing employment arrangements for trainees upon successful completion of Government traineeship include:

1. Host agency offers permanent position to trainee.

2. Host agency offers fixed-term position to trainee.

3. Host agency offers trainee a higher level Government traineeship (eg: Certificate IV in Government)

4. Trainee is registered with Entry Level Employment Program and as a priority, referred to other public sector agencies for entry level opportunities that arise

5. Trainee encouraged to apply for employment opportunities via www.jobs.wa.gov.au

It is expected that a host agency will offer options one (1) to three (3) in the first instance.

Suspension or termination of Government traineeshipIn the event a trainee or host agency intends to suspend or terminate a Government traineeship, the Aboriginal Employment Unit must be advised immediately.

The Aboriginal Employment Support Officers will meet with both parties to determine the appropriate course of action.

If suspension or termination of the Government traineeship is proposed, this action will only occur following consultation with and approval by the Department of Training and Workforce Development’s Apprenticentre.

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Aboriginal Employment Support OfficersHost agencies and trainees may, at any time, request the services of an Aboriginal Employment Support Officer. The Aboriginal Employment Support Officer is part of the Aboriginal Employment Unit within PSC.

The Aboriginal Employment Support Officer will:

• provide one-on-one mentoring, coaching and support services to trainees and their supervisors throughout the duration of the Government traineeship arrangement

• provide advice to agencies on building career pathways for Aboriginal people within the host agency

• develop networking groups for trainees and their supervisors

• facilitate cultural awareness training to agency supervisors

• provide trainees with off-the-job training opportunities (workshops, information sessions, tours) that compliment and support on-the-job training

• provide agencies with access to workshops and information sessions on Government traineeship and Aboriginal employment matters.

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Attachment 1: Roles and Responsibilities MatrixResponsibilities to:

TraineeStakeholders

Public Sector

Commission

• Recruit, select and appoint trainees• Pay trainees and cover all training costs• Provide trainees with support through PSC Aboriginal

Employment Support Officers• Coordinate off-the-job training for trainees on quarterly basis• Assist trainees to register with the Entry Level Employment

Program and/or identify other career pathways• Organise an annual Graduation Ceremony for trainees.

RTO

• Develop culturally appropriate training material; and review and update to ensure currency and relevancy of training materials

• Develop and deliver Information Sessions for trainees• Develop and deliver a Pre-Traineeship Program• Deliver Certificate II, III or IV in Government in metropolitan and

regionally-based public sector agencies• Meet with trainees face-to-face every 2 months and phone

contact fortnightly basis• Provide academic support and guidance to trainees• Issue qualification on successful completion of traineeship• Assess trainees

Public sector

agencies

• Identify possible ongoing employment opportunities post-traineeship

• Apply for trainee/s from ATP• Provide a placement (secondment) to an Aboriginal trainee for a

period of 12 months• Provide appropriate training and guidance to assist the trainee

achieve a Certificate II, III or IV in GovernmentTrainees

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Responsibilities to:Trainee

Stakeholders

PSC Aboriginal Employment Support

Officers

• Provide mentoring and support to Aboriginal trainees• Regular visits and liaison with trainees and their supervisors• Organise off-the-job training sessions• Provide advocacy support to reduce or remove barriers

impacting on ability to complete traineeship

DPC/PSC human resources

• Issue letters of appointment to successful candidates and advise unsuccessful candidates

• Upload trainees onto payroll management system• Coordinate secondment paperwork • Process any trainee payroll and employment matters as they arise• Provide advice to trainees, agencies and PSC on entitlements,

conditions of employment and wages

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Responsibilities to:RTO

Stakeholders

Public Sector

Commission

• Engage RTO/s to deliver Government qualifications

• Monitor contract deliverables and payments, as per the Customer Contract

RTO

Public sector

agencies

• Provide RTO with access to the workplace and trainees at a mutually agreeable time

• Feedback on trainee’s academic progress

Trainees

• Attend all training and assessment meetings

• Provide evidence to RTO to achieve units of competence

• Seek assistance or advice on any matters relating to the attainment of the qualification, as required


Officers

• Liaise with RTO frequently on trainees progress and other relevant matters


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Responsibilities to:Public sector agencies

Stakeholders

Public Sector

Commission

• Coordinate selection process of agencies to host a trainee, including negotiation of post-traineeship employment options

• Provide advice to agencies on post-traineeship employment options

RTO • Develop and deliver information sessions for supervisors

Public sector

agencies

Trainees

• Participate in Pre-Traineeship Program and successfully complete all facets of the program

• Participate in all training, assessment and off-the-job training days as per the requirements of the qualification

• Successfully complete Government qualification PSC Aboriginal

Employment Support Officers

• Identify suitable inter-agency support networks and relationships, if required

• Provide agencies with feedback on any trainee mattersDPC/PSC human

resources

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Responsibilities to:PSC Aboriginal Employment Support Officers

StakeholdersPublic Sector

Commission• Provide appropriate resources and support

RTO

• Provide advice on progress towards trainees achievement of qualification

• Provide PSC with a quarterly written summary of contact made with trainees

• Advise PSC immediately of any employment and/or training matters, including the trainees’ academic progress

Public sector

agencies

• Provide advice on progress towards trainees achievement of qualification

• Submit any timesheets or payroll documentation required by DPC for processing in a timely manner, or as requested by PSC

• Advise Aboriginal Employment Officers of any matters relating to a trainees attendance, progress, performance or any other issues relating to the trainee’s employment

Trainees• Routinely meet to discuss traineeship progress and achievement

• Seek assistance or advice on any matters relating to their employment, as required


OfficersDPC/PSC human

resources

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Responsibilities to:PSC

Stakeholders

Public Sector

Commission

• Coordinate the Aboriginal Traineeship Advisory Sub-Group and Aboriginal Employment Governance Group

• Ensure all reporting requirements are metRTO • Meet all RTO contractual obligations

Public sector

agencies

• Release the trainees for off-the-job training days

• Attend Graduation Ceremony for trainees

• Liaise with PSC to register trainee with Entry Level Employment Program.

Trainees

• Apply for ATP

• Attend interviews

• Enter into a fixed-term contract of employment with PSC to undertake a traineeship

• Enter into a training contract to become a trainee


Officers

• Assist with delivery of workshops, information sessions and other off-the-job training

• Report to PSC Manager, Aboriginal Employment on trainee progress

• Identify issues and opportunities to continuously improve ATP


• Upload advert on www.jobs.wa.gov.au

• Compile applications and submit to Manager, Aboriginal Employment

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Responsibilities to:DPC/PSC human resources

Stakeholders

Public Sector

Commission

• Advise HR of successful and unsuccessful candidates from the interview process

• Advise HR of secondment arrangements in host agencies

• Provide HR with payroll documentation for trainees

RTO • Register successful candidates as trainees with the Australian Apprenticeship Centre and Apprenticentre

Public sector

agencies

• Process secondment paperwork for trainees

• Liaise to confirm processes and procedures for post-traineeship employment options

Trainees • Provide any paperwork necessary to be appointed to ATP


Officers

• Provide any paperwork relevant to the employment of the trainees (ie: timesheet, payroll information, tax declaration, bank details etc)

• Advise of any changes to trainee employment and/or training arrangements


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Attachment 2: Human Resource Arrangements

Advertising and recruitment

PSC will seek applications for ATP, as required.

Advertisements will be placed, at minimum, on www.jobs.wa.gov.au

Advertisement will state:

• Number of Govenment traineeships to be filled

• Establishment of appointment pool with suitability lists

• Possibility of permanent appointment on successful completion of ATP

• Possibility of extension, if trainee requires additional time to complete ATP

• Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people may apply (PSC may request proof to be provided)

• Candidates 25 years of age or under can apply

• Interviews will be held in Perth and it is the responsibility of the candidate to make arrangements to attend

• PSC will not meet relocation costs for candidates not currently based in the Perth metropolitan area

Candidates are encouraged to apply online.

Selection

PSC establishes a selection panel to assess Aboriginal candidates.

Short-listed candidates are contacted for interview.

Selection report developed and endorsed by Public Sector Commissioner.

Appointment and Secondment

Aboriginal trainees will be appointed under section 64(1)(b) of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act) for a period of 12 months, in the first instance and seconded to a nominated host agency under section 66 of the Act.

TraineeshipPSC, in conjunction with the selected RTO, will make the necessary arrangements to register candidates as trainees with an Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

Registered Training Organisations

Trainees will receive training and assessment services from a RTO contracted by PSC to deliver a Government traineeship

Wages

Trainee wages are in line with the Department of Commerce’s Circular to Departments: Trainee Wages as follows:

• Over 21’s - Minimum Conditions of Employment Act

• Under 21’s National Training Wage Award

Entitlements As outlined in the Public Sector Government Officer’s General Agreement 2011.

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Terms and conditions of employment

As outlined in the Public Service Award 1992 and Public Sector Government Officer’s General Agreement 2011.

TimesheetsTrainees must complete a PSC timesheets every four (4) weeks and submit to PSC, via the Aboriginal Employment Unit, no later than one (1) day after the close of that timesheet period.

Applying for leave

A pro forma leave form will be given to all trainees to use whilst on secondment to their host agencies. These leave forms must be signed off by their current supervisor and sent to PSC.

Trainees are required, as soon as practicable, to submit a leave form for any periods of absence.

The Trainee’s Supervisor will be required to advise PSC immediately of any absences.

Payroll Trainees will be paid fortnightly in line with PSC payroll pay periods. Questions to [email protected]

SuperannuationTrainees will be signed up with GESB Super (9%). As at 31 March 2012, all trainees will have access to Super Choice and can nominate another fund.

Worker’s compensation All worker’s compensation matters to be reported to PSC via the Aboriginal Employment Unit

Occupational health and safety

To be provided by PSC during Pre-Traineeship Program as well as by the host agency as soon as practicable after the trainee commences

Public liability insurance All agencies must have valid public liability insurance

Higher duties allowance Agencies are not expected to allocate higher level tasks to trainees which would normally attract a higher duties allowance

Flexi-time Within the first month of the Government traineeship, trainees are expected to adhere to 7.5 hours between the hours 8:00am – 5pm.

Performance management/discipline/sub-standard performance

Under provisions in the PSM Act, ‘Guide to the Disciplinary Provisions’ Contained in Part 5 of the PSM Act, PSC is able to delegate disciplinary power to host agencies.

All performance issues should be dealt with by the host agency and trainee and be reported to the Aboriginal Employment Unit.

Code of ConductRelease days PSC workshops etc

Agencies participating in the program agree to release trainees as per PSC’s workshop schedule

Probation

Trainees will be on probation for six (6) months, in the first instance. Subject to satisfactory performance, trainees appointments will be confirmed. If a shorter probationary period is needed, advice from PSC Human Resources must be sought.

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Termination / resignation

Trainees will be required to provide four (4) weeks notice of resignation.

Termination of trainees will be in line with the PSM Act and Commissioner’s Instruction.

Extension of contract (to finish traineeship)

If a trainee is unable to complete the Government traineeship within 12 months and requires an extension, the RTO must advise PSC. PSC will make the necessary arrangements to extend.

Relocation costs PSC will not pay relocation costs.

Uniforms The host agency will be responsible for paying for any uniform requirements

PPE The provision of Protective Personal Equipment is the responsibility of the host agency.

Other training that the agency requires trainee to undertake

The host agency will be responsible for paying for additional training outside of PSC’s workshop schedule.

Professional development

Trainees will attend all of PSC’s scheduled workshops. The agenda may include the following:

• Word

• Excel

• Telephone techniques

• Office automation

• Simulated office environment (part of Pre-Traineeship)

Incidental costs PSC will maintain a budget for incidental trainee costs. Payment will be at the discretion of the Manager, Aboriginal Employment.

External access to Webself Service

Trainees will have access to the external link for web self service where they can check their pay slips, leave balances and update their personal information.

https://v12.talent2ehr.com/dpcp-wss/faces/app/WJ0000.jspx

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Documents

Aboriginal Traineeship Program - Public Sector Commission · Aboriginal Traineeship Program (ATP) - an integrated employment, training and mentoring support service that is centrally