Work matters people count

Downloads

Responding to the economy

Work is the circuit breaker. We are the supply side of a workforce.

We connect our jobseekers with employers so they can get a job and stay there.

We will:

• strengthen and refine the Job Search Service
• ensure the training we buy gets people jobs
• implement new programmes quickly and efficiently
• ensure low income earners get the support they need to remain in work
• focus on those having the hardest time entering the workforce including:
  • invest in all young people ensuring they are in work or training and education for work
  • give priority to Maori and Pacific jobseekers
  • increase support for people on Sickness and Invalid’s benefit to get back to work
  • focus on early return to the workforce for sole parents.

Jobs with a future

We partner with industries and employers to create work for people.

We provide employers with work ready workers and services tailored to their needs. Our partnerships also increase an employer’s capability and the resilience of their workforce.

In tougher times, we support employers and their workers at risk of being made redundant to remain in their workplaces.

We will:

• strengthen our approach with business and employers
• increase the productivity of our partners through enhanced industry partnerships
• work proactively with employers to provide in-work support and services to workers at risk of being laid-off
• ensure that we list the right jobs
• ensure our jobseekers have access to the widest range of jobs
• improve the resilience of our jobseekers in the workforce
• provide online employer services.

Partnering for results

Strong relationships are at the heart of working successfully in the social sector.

We want to build relationships that last.

We know that working through community based social services is sometimes a more efficient response to community needs. We work alongside community groups and often contract their services.

We also know that utilising our Ministry, Government and Non-Government Organisation colleagues is the best use of our common resources.

We will:

• expand Community Links
• use our Integrated Service Response to help those who need it
• implement an integrated outcomes monitoring framework
• champion a joined up Ministry wide approach to use our shared resources more effectively
• increase our capacity to create effective partnerships for efficient delivery.

Value for money

We are committed to financial sustainability.

We are committed to streamlining our systems by removing duplication and rework to use our resources better.

We know our systems need to be redesigned to provide self help options wherever possible. We want to use face to face time with people in the best way, only when there is a need and it benefits us both.

We will:

• implement new technology to streamline our service
• implement online services
• deliver on our financial plan to achieve increased economy, efficiency and effectiveness
• embed the Lean Six Sigma method
• reduce the number of letters we send
• streamline our application forms.

Organisational excellence

We value excellence in everything we do – not just what we do but how we do it.

We know that excellence and consistency go hand in hand.

We know that our values, expectations, culture and practices must be clear and supported by the right training.

We will:

• treat the people we work with as we would like to be treated
• ensure we have the right leadership in place to enable our people to succeed
• increase the engagement of our people year on year
• build on our strengths by providing staff with the right training
• ensure our training reinforces our values, expectations and what we stand for
• measure what matters.

A scenario of success

I’m Sonya. Apparently, 70 per cent of the people Work and Income works with have access to the internet but since I don’t, I use a computer at my brother’s house. I filled in the pre-assessment and the job matching information myself and made my own appointment on the web. When I saw Fred, he scanned my papers and gave them straight back to me. He showed me how to use the website to set up my account. I have three job interviews tomorrow.

My benefit is going to be paid next week after the staff in the processing centre have confirmed my details. I can see how much I will be paid in my online account. It’s so easy now that I don’t need to ring or come in as often as I did. Plus I don’t have all those letters my friend used to get.

When I do come in, we talk about real things, not pushing paper.

What next for our plan

Making Work Matters, People Count a reality is now the challenge for us all.

Every region has taken ownership of the plan and is working towards the vision for our place and our people. Every management team will be personally leading Work Matters, People Count – in their own way.

There will be nationally led initiatives and there will be even more locally led action. In every region, there will be many opportunities for you to be involved.

We encourage you to use this plan, see where you fit and where you can most make a difference. We all have an important role to play in making our business better for ourselves and the people we work with. We’ll be updating you on the progress from National Office and we look forward to you updating us. We will celebrate our achievements, big and small making Work Matters, People Count.