Young workers in the NSW Public Sector

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that young people are part of the decisions that affect their lives. This has informed the development of the NSW Youth Action Plan – The Way Forward: Supporting young people in NSW. The plan outlines the importance of ensuring the participation of young people in decision making and the design and delivery of people services.

In 2006, the proportion of employees aged under 25 years in the NSW public sector was 4.8% – a figure much lower than the broader NSW labour force where 17% of NSW employees were aged under 25 years. Agencies must find ways of attracting and retaining younger workers to facilitate workforce sustainability and ensure that government services are responsive to the needs of younger people.

The NSW Government’s plan included a range of best practice principles for youth participation. From an EEO in public employment perspective, the following are particularly relevant:

• recognising young people’s rights to participate in the development of government policies, programs and services
• building on young people knowledge and skills
• recognising the diversity of young people’s backgrounds and situations.

One of the key themes of the NSW Government’s plan is “learning and earning” to ensure that young people have the right education and skills, and are effectively utilised in the workplace. As a major employer in the state, the public sector has a key role in meeting these objectives, which should be reflected in agencies’ equity and diversity frameworks.

In 2007, the Premier of NSW issued a memorandum to NSW government agencies to apply best practice principles in dealing with young people.

Below is a report on the recruitment and retention issues of generations X and Y in the South Australian public sector.

Case Study ‘SA Public Sector – One Generation away from extinction’?

The Office of Youth in South Australia has worked with young workers in the sector to develop a report focusing on performance management, management training, career pathways and career development and mobility. The report, completed in 2007, recommended the following strategies:

• that annual pay increments are awarded based on performance and not automatically awarded as is currently the case
• that a competency-based whole of government management leadership development program be developed that focuses on people skills and that participation in the program be mandated for all management positions with direct staff supervision responsibilities
• online skill matching interface for people to register their skills for vacancies and other opportunities, enabling departments and managers to then identify those individuals
• developing a Career Counseling Function that provides advice to young professionals about opportunities across government agencies and the training and experience required to compete for the role they seek
• mentoring programs
• the completion of exit interviews should be mandated across all government departments
• the development of a welcome brochure that promotes the benefits of employment in the public sector
• that the state government develop and support a Public Service Ambassador program.

The report also discussed best practice in attracting and recruiting young people. A full copy of the report can be accessed through the South Australia Office for Youth website.

The following are several NSW Government websites that provide specific information and services for young people at work:

Young People at Work

The Office of Industrial Relations in the NSW Department of Commerce has a dedicated website for Young People at Work.

In this site they provide information to young workers on every stage of work, including “looking for work”, “got the job” and “leaving the job”. They also provide advice on workplace laws and how they affect young workers or what they should be paid.

Youth NSW

Youth.NSW is the NSW Government's website for young people and workers in the youth field.

This site aims to provide people aged 12 to 25 with links to New South Wales Government, community services and information. It also contains a range of information for young people about getting involved in their community through programs and events. The site is a forum for youth participation and for government to hear young people’s ideas on a range of issues.

For those who work with young people, the site offers links to research in the youth field, funding opportunities and organisations, and information on events and training that may be of interest.

Youth.NSW is managed by the Communities Division of the Department of Community Services.

Young Workers

Workcover Authority of NSW has developed a Young Worker website to prevent young workers workplace accidents and incidents.

NSW Commission for Children and Young People

The NSW Commission for Children and Young People is an independent organisation working with others to make NSW a better place for children and young people.

The Commission reports directly to the NSW Parliament, and the Committee on Children and Young People oversees our work.