Welcome

Welcome to our spring edition. At the Johnson Group, we’ve taken the idea of spring cleaning to a whole new level – we’ve had more than just a bit of a tidy up, we’ve moved!

Our new, custom-built offices are located on Level 6, 139 The Terrace. They’re bigger and better than the old ones, with plenty of room to accommodate new staff as we continue to expand our services. We have several exciting new developments in the works, including plans to set up an executive search service. Executive searches are a specialised form of head-hunting, and are considered to be the most effective way of filling high-level executive positions. We’re now recruiting for a consultant to take on this important new task: watch this space.

We’ve also expanded our advisory board. Ross Tanner has joined law consultant Doug Bailey to provide us with high-level advice and guidance. Ross is a professional director, and a consultant specialising in public policy, public management and governance.  He has some interesting views about what needs to happen in the public sector – you can read about them later in this newsletter.

In early February we’re launching a new club for contractors. The idea is to provide contractors working in the public sector with the opportunity to get together regularly and share information and market intelligence. We plan to have a presenter at each meeting who will talk about issues such as indemnity insurance, ACC obligations and the legal obligations and responsibilities of contracting. We’ll let you know when and where the first meeting will be once we’ve finalised the date.

We've enjoyed the buzz around the Rugby World Cup and we're delighted by the final outcome.  It was a nail-biting night, but the All Blacks managed to hang on in the face of a determined French opposition.  It's a great result for the whole country and the event has been a great way of show-casing New Zealand to the world.  We're looking forward to seeing that renewed buoyancy reflected in the job market.

Campbell

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Now’s a good time for contractors to check out the market

Contactors continue to be an important part of the workforce, particularly among younger workers who have no interest in having a “career for life”.

Contracting opportunities in the public sector have started to slow down recently as the sector gears up for the election, being held on November 26.  However, according to Campbell, industry sources say this slowdown will only be temporary.

His advice to contractors is to start putting feelers out now, so that you’re well placed to pick up more work once things pick up again. Keep on networking and attending functions and events. It’s also a good idea to check out the latest departmental press releases and planned legislative changes.

“If you know what’s coming up you’re much better placed to find work that suits your skills.”

And don’t forget to join our contractor’s club being launched in early November; keep an eye on our website for details about the first meeting.

Contact Heather or Rohan for more information.

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The public sector needs to start taking risks

Public sector reform needs to stop being mechanistic and efficiency-focused, and instead take a “transformative” approach based on innovation and risk-taking, according to Ross Tanner, the Johnson Group’s new advisory board member.

In an article in the latest edition of Public Sector, the journal of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ), he says that public service departments in New Zealand need to substantially change the way they operate.

“They must, collectively, assert stronger and more effective leadership on the big policy challenges facing our nation and become more engaged with the issues being faced by families, communities and businesses” he says.

The transformative approach he suggests includes:

• being innovative at a system level
• “learning by doing” – and being prepared to accept that some experiments will fail
• setting up cross-sector project teams to pilot the change.

He also says that ministers must mandate such work, and learn about and support new ways of working.

For more go to Point of view

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The right attitude will help older workers

A recent newspaper article featuring Campbell talking about the plight of older workers struck quite a chord among those who read it.  Campbell says he received a lot of phone calls and letters after the article was published in several newspapers.

“The big thing I was pushing is that employers shouldn’t discount older workers but that older workers themselves need to manage their mindset,” he says.

In the article, Campbell warns older workers – those aged 50 or more – not to take the effects of public sector reform personally. He says that even if older workers lose their jobs, there are still plenty of employment opportunities available to them.  However, it’s important to get into the right headspace and stay positive.

“There is definitely hope. It is possible for 50-plus workers to find employment and there’s plenty of evidence of that. It’s important to be pragmatic – if you don’t want to be a CEO or a GM then don’t apply for those roles. Maybe look at a good project management role instead.”

For more go to Older job seekers too defensive

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Chief executive vacancies now being filled

It’s good to see the appointment of new chief executives to several government departments.  As the media pointed out in July, an unprecedented number of chief executive positions in the public service have been vacant this year.

Lesley Longstone – currently working in Britain – will head the Education Ministry; Brendan Boyle is moving from Internal Affairs to Social Development; Andrew Bridgeman has been confirmed for the top job at the Justice Ministry, and Carolyn Tremain, who was previously at Inland Revenue, is now heading Customs NZ.

Campbell says that while there are still some vacancies – Brendan Boyle’s new appointment has created a vacancy at Internal Affairs, and Christopher Blake is leaving the Department of Labour to run the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – the recent appointments will provide stability, and help galvanise leadership teams within the relevant departments.

“This is a time when we need a clear communication of issues; every ship needs a captain, and getting a new leader provides an opportunity to tackle some of the big issues.”

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Labour market continues to recover

Latest Labour Department figures show that the labour market stabilised over the June 2011 quarter, following strong growth in employment in the previous quarter.

However, the Household and Labour Force Survey says that New Zealand continues to have a low unemployment rate compared with many other OECD countries. The unemployment rate of 6.5% is the equal 12th lowest of the 34 countries in the OECD, and below the average OECD rate of 9.2%.

“It’s good to be reminded that we are still in a good position globally,” says Campbell.

According to the HLFS, the groups that did well during the June quarter included those working in health, education and financial services. Older workers also did well – the number of workers aged 55 and over has increased by 4.9% over the last year.

Overall the labour market has strengthened over the first half of 2011, and it is expected to continue to recover over the next year, although significant improvements are not expected until early in 2012.

Read the full report

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Job doctor

A friend who earns lots of money as a contractor is trying to persuade me to give up my job and go contracting too. I’m tempted but I’m not sure whether it’s a good idea. What should I do?
Peter, Titahi Bay

The high hourly rates that contractors earn can make contracting an attractive option. But while you can earn a lot as a contractor, the workflow can be erratic.

You need to ask yourself how comfortable you’d feel going for several months without a contract.

Are you someone who feels happy touting for work?

Before throwing in your existing job, contact one of our employment specialists to talk through the issues. And be honest with yourself.

Do you really have the skills and experience to provide the level of service that employers expect from contractors? If not, you’re better off staying where you are.

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and finally

As Wellington’s only public sector recruitment agency, The Johnson Group recruits all professional roles in the following areas:

• Policy (strategic/operational, and economic analysis)
• Research and evaluation
• Planning and reporting
• Legal
• Human resources
• Programme/project management, technical and operations
• Communications
• Records and information

We also recruit roles in corporate services and public sector finance.

If you're looking for your next opportunity or wish to have a career conversation, please contact us by phone on 04 473 6699 or email.

Wishing you all the best

Campbell