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Our ‘Industry in Focus’ series reviews the current and future people-related challenges facing key industries and uncovers the role that HR and workforce management software can play in easing those challenges. In this edition, we look at local government – a sector that employs 55,100 people across almost 200 occupations.
Talent challenges – recruitment and retention
The services offered by the 78 local authorities in Aotearoa New Zealand – including regional councils, city councils, district councils and Auckland Council – vary depending on community needs, but can include critical functions such as community services (childcare, aged care, facilities management), waste management and environmental care, through to administration, planning and roadworks.
Meeting those needs means navigating several unique attraction and retention challenges – not least of which is finding people with the right skills and experience to fill roles across the wide spectrum of local government departments.
The logistical issues associated with managing such a diverse workforce is a major challenge (i.e. having the right person with the right qualifications working at the right time and place), but so too is the need to meet specific compliance and regulatory obligations in each business department. This is particularly the case in areas like childcare and aged care.
Opportunities
In response to these challenges, local governments are reinvesting in their value proposition to candidates and employees.
Some are offering greater flexibility and incentivising skilled retirees to re-enter the workforce; others are rethinking what roles need to be done by degree-qualified individuals vs. non-degree qualified individuals; and others are building out graduate employment pipelines and committing to mentoring and skills development to help younger workers think about longer term careers in local government.
The role of workforce management and HR software
It's almost impossible to cater to the operational and HR needs of a local government workforce without the help workforce management and HR software.
Our ‘Industry in Focus’ guide showcases six ways HR and workforce management software can ease talent challenges. From the flexible configuration required to meet the unique needs of each business department (from childcare to sports centres and everything in between), to qualification management, flexible time tracking options, and task-based rostering, a human capital management (HCM) suite like Humanforce can help.
Keen to learn more? Complete the form to download our concise, informative guide to New Zealand’s local government sector today.