DHB wins regional HRINZ HR Initiative of the Year

8 December 2005

BoP DHB wins regional HRINZ HR Initiative of the Year

A Bay of Plenty District Health Board staff career development programme that has markedly improved staff job satisfaction and retention has won the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand’s HR Initiative of the Year for the Waikato region.

The project was implemented in late 2004, initially as a trial among all Mental Health staff and quickly recorded impressive results.

Every employee had the opportunity to attend a session at the Career Development Centre to identify their career opportunities via analysis of individual goals, interests, strengths, weaknesses and preferences.

Prior to the provision of Career Development support:
• 50% of staff were not confident in making career choices and decisions
• Two thirds were unsure of the career opportunities available to them
• 60% were aware of the roles they were suited to and 40% were not or were unsure
After receiving Career Development support:
• 98% of staff are confident in making career choices
• 100% of staff are aware of the information and support available to assist with career decisions
• 96% of staff indicated that they appreciated the opportunity to focus on their career path
• 89% of staff agreed that Career Development support assisted with an increase in job satisfaction, 11% indicated “maybe, not certain”
• 74% of staff agreed that Career Development support assists with staff retention, 26% indicated “maybe, not certain”
• 100% of staff would recommend the Career Development service to others

More than 180 staff have attended Career Development sessions, including 20 pilot and test users. The Board has since developed a Career Development Resource Workbook and accompanying resources. It also provides a Career Development software package which assists users with increasing self-awareness about their career choices, and adds value to the dialogue sessions. This resource is made available to staff through the intranet.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board serves a population of 195,000, taking in the major population centres of Tauranga, Katikati, Te Puke, Whakatane, Kawerau and Opotiki. It has the second fastest population growth rate of all New Zealand District Health Boards.

The initiative now advances to the national HRINZ HR Initiative of the Year Award finals in February 2006.

ENDS

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