Workforce development
Recruitment, Development and Retention Toolkit
Workforce Development Initiative: Project ReportThe Workforce Development initiative addresses a number of workforce challenges currently being faced by the disability sector.
Why is it important to strengthen the disability sector workforce?
Queensland's community and disability services sectors currently face a number of workforce challenges, including:
- geographic distribution
- ageing population
- ageing carers
- population growth and the projected rise in the demand for services
- institutional reform
- retaining experienced and skilled staff within the sector
The availability of information technology and communication tools, along with broader social and economic factors will further change the nature of service within the sector.
Trends in practice and changes in approaches to service delivery are also creating new and different skill requirements. Workforce planning can assist organisations to anticipate staff and skill requirements within this changing environment. This is essential if the sector is to deliver best-practice services to improve the quality of life of Queenslanders with a disability.
Workforce tools
The Recruitment, Development and Retention Toolkit is based on extensive research into the workforce challenges the disability sector faces, particularly high labour turnover, increased demand for staff and gaps in skill levels. This research is detailed in Workforce Development Initiative: Project Report .
The toolkit provides:
- practical guidelines and information on recruitment, development and retention practices
- examples of how staff, managers and the agency can be involved in these practices
- templates to support suggested practices
- advice evaluating and reviewing these practices
- links to useful resources
Last reviewed: 21 August 2009