A Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce - Public Sector ...

Appendix F - Better Practice Examples
Case Study: Disability Services Commission Alumni
Background
The Disability Services Commission (DSC) has recognised the importance of retaining corporate knowledge and mentoring and coaching staff. To achieve this,
an Alumni initiative was endorsed as part of the DSC Strategic Recruitment Plan 2009-2011. The Alumni will be officially launched in 2010.
The Alumni is essentially an informal network of employees who have retired or resigned from the Commission. It is envisaged that the Alumni will provide an
effective avenue to access past knowledge and expertise and mitigate the loss of corporate knowledge.
Aim
The key focus for the DSC Alumni is to build a DSC community through the exchange of collective experiences, ideas and shared values. Alumni members are
encouraged to promote and share new information about the work the Commission is undertaking; and to assist where possible in promoting the Commission’s
vision. Alumni members would continue to build social capital within DSC by active engagement with DSC social club activities; and support the ongoing
development of staff through mentoring and coaching.
Structure
The DSC Alumni will comprise of:
• A committee to provide a consultative forum to effectively facilitate the development and management of the Alumni Program within the Commission. It will
include representation from DSC Management, the DSC Social Club, Workforce Planning, and the Alumni group.
• General membership will be voluntary, free of charge and will be offered to all DSC employees who have had a minimum of 2 years service with the
Commission. Membership will be sought via a registration process and invitations will be sent to those who have retired, resigned, taken redundancy, or
are in phased retirement.
www.publicsector.wa.gov.au A Guide to Managing an Ageing Workforce 39