Following a number of hui with Rohe 1 kaimahi, Peseta and Toa asked Te Pūkenga Orgaisational Development Team for some answers to the below commonly asked questions…
1. Some kaimahi are mapped to one area but think they could fit in several areas. How was this process done?
We acknowledge that many current roles may have a range of responsibilities that align to multiple teams in the proposed structure. The mapping process identified the most comparable area of work based on the primary focus of the role. We are receiving a number of queries on this matter. If you think you have been mapped to the wrong team, please let us know and we will follow this up. You are also able to provide feedback on the proposed approach to managing change including the process whereby people are ring-fenced for consideration for comparable roles.
2. It is unclear how the academic side will look – will there be a senior manager in Auckland with 50+ direct reports across the region?
Our focus has been on seeking feedback on the management structures to the level outlined in the consultation, and we have not yet designed the leadership layer for teams below this.
3. What does it mean for small, satellite sites (eg Kaitaia)?
Satellite sites will be managed through the Site Operations and Learner Services Manager(s) depending on which sub-region location they are a part of. Kaitaia, for example, would be a part of the team reporting up into the Site Operations and Learner Services Manager Whangārei.
4. What is the timing of the proposed changes/transition to the new model?
The timeline for the proposed changes, should they be approved, is outlined in the proposal on What Say You. The duration of the process will depend on the amount of feedback we receive, and the insights shared during the consultation period. Following determination, we will proceed with the recruitment and selection process as soon as possible. From which, we will then commence appointments only after consideration of continuity of delivery and operations, and in discussion with all parties – current manager, kaimahi themselves and the hiring manager.
5 .When will people take redundancy and finish working at their business division? How will kaimahi who are being made redundant be able to do any handovers?
It is important to note that no decisions have been made regarding the structure at this point or individual outcomes. The information on What Say You is a proposal only. If, after the consultation process, the decision is made to disestablish a position, there may be several new roles that may be of interest. Kaimahi will be able to apply for these through the recruitment processes. Our commitment is to redeploy as many impacted kaimahi as possible into appropriate alternative roles. If the proposal is confirmed, we will be moving as fast as we can to select or recruit people into positions as soon as possible. The commencement date of these appointments is yet to be determined and a number of factors including continuity of delivery, operations and transition of new appointees need to be considered. We will endeavour to provide more indication on dates in the determination once all feedback has helped us set out a likely transition approach.
6. Is travel going to be a major requirement of new roles around the rohe, and will any staff be expected to work across the rohe?
This initial proposal is focused on structure, bringing our business divisions into one organisation and forming our regional structure and leadership within this. To minimise potential disruption, the proposed structure for Ako Delivery will see little change in the current approaches to delivery, other than the introduction of new leadership and management. Once we have our kaimahi in this new structure, our new Regional leadership teams and my overarching Ako Delivery Leadership team will focus on ways of working and how we start to mesh together our different ways of delivery.
7. There is concern about the information sought when kaimahi registered for the What You Say platform. Why was it needed, how will it be used, who has access to it? Will the answers be a factor during selection for the new roles?
The purpose of collecting the demographic information is clearly outlined on the What Say You registration page under the heading “About the demographics”. The information we are asking our people for as part of our user registration form will help us better understand how people from different communities perceive the proposed Organisational Design. As we work towards creating a vocational education system that prioritises ākonga from underserved and underrepresented communities, we want to understand the lived experiences and expertise of our kaimahi. This will enable us all to better support these priority ākonga groups in future. Please note: all kaimahi have the option to choose the ‘prefer not to say’ option in response to these questions. More information on the purpose of collecting information is available in the Privacy Statement on the registration page of What Say You. This information is not used for any selection processes. The personal information collected as part of the registration process is stored on a secure server. The What Say You site went through a technical review with our Digital team to ensure that it met the security and privacy standards and was fit for use for Te Pūkenga.
8. Will there be any more zui explaining comparable roles and recruitment processes?
Keri-Anne Tane is looking at running further sessions, both during the review period and after the decision document is released. Look out for communications from Te Pūkenga about this.