Workforce Skills Audit Tool for Planning Function Emploees This skills audit tool has been designed to obtain important information about the work performed in the planning function of your Council. It will identify the skills your Council currently has and enable a comparison of these skills with the competencies required to accomplish your Councils goals and objectives in relation to the planning function. This comparison will identify any skills gap between current abilities and immediate and/or future needs. ith the current shortage of qualified planners it is important for Councils to be proactive in planning for future needs in this area. !"W T" #"$D%#T A S&'LLS A%D'T Step () !ist the competencies required in your planning function to accomplish your Councils goals and objectives now and in the future using the Council "lanning #unction $kills %udit Template as a starting point &see Appendi* A'. The competencies outlined in this skills audit are modules that are covered in the nationally accredited (ocational )ducation and Training Certificate I( in !ocal *overnment &"lanning' +eview the competencies outlined on this template and amend/add any other relevant competencies required by your Councils planning function. "lease ensure that you consider the current planning function requirements, as well as any future requirements you may be aware of. -e.t complete the skill level required in your Councils planning function for each identified competency in the /-eed -ow and /+equired in the #uture columns using the "lanning #unction Competencies $cale as follows0 1 $kill is not required 2 3asic skills 4 %verage skills 5 %dvanced skills Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 1 of 8 Step +) "repare a separate )mployee "lanning #unction $kills %udit form for every employee in your planning function. $ee Appendi* , for template. +emember to amend the competencies listed on the template to those you identified for your Council in $tep 2. -e.t complete a separate form for each employee using the "lanning #unction Competencies $cale detailed above. Think about the competencies and the ability of each individual employee to undertake the areas outlined. +emember, this is not a performance appraisal, this is a tool for you to use to identify current competencies available in the planning function and to also think about the future needs in this area. +eview each employees capability in each of the competency areas identified and identify their current skill level in the /6ave -ow, /-eed -ow and /+equired in the #uture columns. $ee Appendi* # for an e.ample. Step -) $ummarise the skills audit results for your planning function employees and identify0 Total skills your Council currently has available The skills base your Council needs now The future skills your Council is likely to need &based on trends, future plans the Council may have and taking into account the difficulties in attracting and retaining planning staff' If the result identifies a high number of 5s in the /-eed -ow and /+equired in the #uture bo.es and a majority of 2s in the /6ave -ow bo., a clear picture emerges that Council needs to consider increasing the level of skills in the planning function. The competencies outlined in this skills audit are modules that are covered in the nationally accredited (ocational )ducation 7 Training Certificate I( in !ocal *overnment &"lanning' and Council should consider engaging Trainees or -ew %pprentices in this area to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the function. #or more information on relevant Traineeship or %ustralian %pprenticeship information, please contact the !*% )ducation 7 Training $ervice on telephone &18' 8449 415: or email training;lga.sa.gov.au. Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 2 of 8 Appendi* A #"%$#'L PLA$$'$G F%$#T'"$ S&'LLS A%D'T TEMPLATE #ompetenc Description $eed $o. /e0uired in Future Work effectivel in Local Government %pply knowledge and understanding of Council responsibilities and structure to work %ccept responsibility for quality of own work <anage own work Implement environmental procedures Contribute to the change process #onduct Public Education Presentation Contribute to the development of educational and information strategies "lan and organise public presentations Conduct public presentations with appropriate media 'nvestigate alleged breac1es of legislation and prepare documentation Identify possible breaches Investigate alleged breaches "ropose appropriate action to achieve compliance /epresent #ouncil at legal proceedings +epresent Council in legal proceedings #ollow up outcomes of legal proceedings %ndertake Assessment of Domestic Scale ,uilding applications =ndertake initial assessment of compliance with building controls and Council requirements +efer applications to relevant author for comments and approvals -otify applicant of decision +epresent Council at appeals as required Assess minor applications for %se or Development Identify impact of application on surrounding areas and notify affected parties +efer applications for comment %ssess application for compliance with relevant statutory controls and policies -otify relevant parties of Council authority determination Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 3 of 8 #"%$#'L PLA$$'$G F%$#T'"$ S&'LLS A%D'T TEMPLATE 2continued3 #ompetenc Description $eed $o. /e0uired in Future Attend re0uests for building and planning information and advice Identify nature and type of service requests +esearch information relevant to service requests >etermine suitable response Communicate information and advice Provide assistance in carring out building inspections +espond to requests for building inspection Inspect building works for compliance against building approval documentation -otify result of inspection and update records =ndertake follow?up inspection as required Monitor #ouncil procedure to ensure compliance .it1 relevant legislation <aintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation <onitor procedures to ensure compliance Please use t1e follo.ing scale) 1 $kill is not required 2 3asic skills 4 %verage skills 5 %dvanced skills Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 4 of 8 Appendi* , EMPL"4EE PLA$$'$G F%$#T'"$ S&'LLS A%D'T TEMPLATE Emploee $ame 5ualifications Position Title Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 5 of 8 Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 6 of 8 #ompetenc Description !ave $o. $eed $o. /e0uired in Future Work effectivel in Local Government %pply knowledge and understanding of Council responsibilities and structure to work %ccept responsibility for quality of own work <anage own work Implement environmental procedures Contribute to the change process #onduct Public Education Presentation Contribute to the development of educational and information strategies "lan and organise public presentations Conduct public presentations with appropriate media 'nvestigate alleged breac1es of legislation and prepare documentation Identify possible breaches Investigate alleged breaches "ropose appropriate action to achieve compliance /epresent #ouncil at legal proceedings +epresent Council in legal proceedings #ollow up outcomes of legal proceedings %ndertake Assessment of Domestic Scale ,uilding applications =ndertake initial assessment of compliance with building controls and Council requirements +efer applications to relevant author for comments and approvals -otify applicant of decision +epresent Council at appeals as required EMPL"4EE PLA$$'$G F%$#T'"$ S&'LLS A%D'T TEMPLATE 2continued3 #ompetenc Description !ave $o. $eed $o. /e0uired in Future Assess minor applications for %se or Development Identify impact of application on surrounding areas and notify affected parties +efer applications for comment %ssess application for compliance with relevant statutory controls and policies -otify relevant parties of Council authority determination Attend re0uests for building and planning information and advice Identify nature and type of service requests +esearch information relevant to service requests >etermine suitable response Communicate information and advice Provide assistance in carring out building inspections +espond to requests for building inspection Inspect building works for compliance against building approval documentation -otify result of inspection and update records =ndertake follow?up inspection as required Monitor #ouncil procedure to ensure compliance .it1 relevant legislation <aintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation <onitor procedures to ensure compliance Please use t1e follo.ing scale) 1 $kill is not required 2 3asic skills 4 %verage skills 5 %dvanced skills Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 7 of 8 Appendi* - E6AMPLE "F #"MPLET'"$ "F EMPL"4EE PLA$$'$G F%$#T'"$ S&'LLS A%D'T Emploee $ame @oe 3loggs 5ualifications Cert II in !ocal *overnment Position Title Planning Administration Support "fficer E*ample Scenario) In this e.ample, you know that the "lanning %dministration $upport Afficer is going to be the first point of contact for all >evelopment %ssessment applications as the Council is restructuring the Customer $ervice area to include this position out at the front counter. Bou are aware that the incumbent has very little understanding of the /politics associated with !ocal *overnment but this is not a huge issue as the person is currently housed in the back office and this person has very little contact with the public. Considering the changes that have been planned however, this will need to be addressed with a level of urgency. #ompetenc Description !ave $o. $eed $o. /e0uired in Future Work effectivel t1e Local Government %pply knowledge and understanding of Council responsibilities ( + - =sing this e.ample, please complete the remainder of the competencies. The major outcome of the $kills %udit is the identification of the gaps between current ability and current and future demand. Ideally, it should identify variances far enough in advance to enable remedial action to be taken which is not costly, disruptive or reactive. Workforce Skills Audit Tool Page 8 of 8