Industry Postings - Australia

Source: Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment

• Overview
• Developing a business relationship or function 
• Professional and personal development of high performing employees

Overview

The Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment has developed Industry Postings to give the public sector access to key areas of expertise in the private sector and increase understanding of Government amongst the private sector. Industry Postings are open to all levels of public sector staff.

An Industry Posting will also provide valuable leadership development for the participating individual and should be considered in terms of the significant leadership, professional skill development and learning opportunities the individual will receive.

Industry Postings may occur in either direction. That is, a public sector employee may be ‘posted’ into the private sector just as a private sector employee may be ‘posted’ into the public sector. These postings may be initiated by either public sector or private sector organisations. Postings do not need to be reciprocal. The parameters governing Industry Postings may vary from one business to another and will need to be negotiated on a case by case basis.

An Industry Posting is a specific and serious business contract which requires the full commitment of the agency, including the Chief Executive and the respective Minister to support the participation of a high performing employee.

Industry Postings can fulfil a dual purpose:

1. Developing a business relationship or function
2. Professional and personal development of high performing employees

1. Developing a business relationship or function 

Industry Postings are useful for public sector organisations that have an identified need to gather knowledge or to further expand their understanding of business or industry. Your organisation may have already identified a private sector organisation with which there would be strategic benefit in developing stronger ties. Alternatively you may have a unique business need that this scheme can be tailored to meet. Your organisation can expect to gain any or all of the following benefits through participation:

• Industry knowledge:  A better understanding of how a particular industry group operates eg. The Banking Industry 
• Company knowledge: Insight into a particular business eg. The Commonwealth Bank - operating within the Banking Industry 
• Networks and contacts: Forging relationships and contacts with individuals and businesses 
• Awareness: Increased awareness of the business systems of the other sector including knowledge of the operational, technological, financial, social and environmental climate

There are no limitations on the locations of postings, therefore, agency chief executives may wish to explore potential postings with national and international industries that may be of strategic significance. This scheme can also be used to initiate staff exchanges between the public sector and other tiers of government: local, other state, commonwealth including governments worldwide.

Who can participate ? 

Industry Postings are open to all levels of public sector staff. While the OCPE is responsible for overseeing the Industry Postings scheme, each agency will develop its own policy determining its involvement. This general information should be read in conjunction with your agency’s Industry Posting policy.

The posted individual will have a unique opportunity to expand their leadership skills through their posting and will receive highly valued industry knowledge including specific project knowledge to be shared or implemented. Participants should have: 

• a strong desire to learn and a willingness to share their gained knowledge and to transfer skills 
• demonstrated strong leadership, adaptability and excellent communication skills 
• the capacity to quickly comprehend their new environment and accurately and effectively impart that knowledge back to the public sector organisation.

Whether a posting is to develop a business relationship or to develop an individual the process used to select the posting participants should be transparent. The normal process of transparency in decision making is important to ensure that staff appreciate the reasoning behind the selection process. The nominated placement participant must have the endorsement of their Chief Executive.

2. Professional and personal development of high performing employees 

Industry Postings may also be initiated for an identified high performing employee who would benefit from the experience in a private sector organisation.

Identifying opportunities for Industry Postings to further develop high performing staff 

• Based on staff performance development plans, determine an individual whose development would best be advanced by a posting to another organisation. 
• Identify an organisation most suited to meeting the individual’s development need.

How do I initiate an Industry Posting ? 

Arranging an Industry Posting requires the involvement of many stakeholders. Human Resource staff in each agency are responsible for guiding the process. This process involves identifying and approaching private sector businesses, negotiating employment contracts and determining funding arrangements. Approaches to private sector agencies must not occur outside of this process.

An Industry Posting requires identification of such issues as non-solicitation, intellectual property rights, confidential information and conflicts of interest and therefore requires the full commitment of the agency, including the Chief Executive and the respective Minister.

Once a possible business or personal development need has been identified: 

• discuss the proposal and gain the initial approval of your manager or director 
• contact your agency Human Resources area, who will liaise with the OCPE

The Industry Postings scheme is overseen by the Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE)

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