These include the centrality of funding arrangements to workforce management and development.

Completed by researchers at the UNSW Social Policy Research Centre, the report includes the findings from extensive consultation processes and strategies to build the capacity and sustainability of the workforce.

"The key findings of this study are consistent with much of the literature and thus indicate that many of the sectoral challenges are long-standing and chronic. The NGO community services sector is likely to expand as governments continue to engage them in partnerships to deliver services, and in the context of increasing need caused by population ageing and the economic downturn. Workforce reform and development is critical for workers to meet a growing demand and increasing complexity of need. The research presented in this report provides empirical evidence to inform workforce planning and development. The strategies proposed in this report are made to inform an agenda for action. Workforce reform requires the government to undertake a leadership or champion role in implementing them. It also requires sectoral representatives taking a stronger lead in advocating the role of the sector and the needs of its workers".

Cortis, N., Hilferty, F., Chan, S. and K. Tannous (2009) Labour dynamics and the non-government community services workforce in NSW, SPRC report prepared for the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Community Services, University of New South Wales, May 2009, p 97

Download: full report [1.4mB pdf]

For further information please contact:

Catherine Mahony
Deputy Director, Sector Development/ Corporate Services
phone: 92112599 ext 110
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