Summary of project accomplishments

Project Establishment and Governance

• Endorsement of Project from VC.
• Communication of project and deliverables across campus via email from Executive Director, HR.
• Reference Group established and communication commenced.
• Quarterly Project Status Reports provided to the ‘Staff' Executive Goal Steward and Reference Group members.

Brand Alignment and Employee Value Promise

• Meetings with Marketing and Internal Brand to discuss project intent and brand alignment.
• Internal data research and analysis to identify USQ's employee value promise (ie what does USQ offer that employees value?); careers website refreshed to reflect same.
• Presentation by Executive Director, Human Resources on employee engagement and the employee value promise at the Academic and Administrative Leaders Forum in June.
• Branded décor and merchandise for HR Reception and Interview Rooms developed and installed (ie canvas wall prints and posters).

USQ Careers Website

• Best practice review of recruitment websites undertaken and comparative analysis paper with recommendations for USQ developed.
• Regional tourism links on careers website created.
• Vice-Chancellor's message published on careers website.
• Employee testimonials and photographs published on careers website.
• Employee career videos produced and published on USQ careers website – series of nine different videos to be rotated on a regular basis.
• Website 'rebranding' activities commenced (ongoing throughout project), including careers website homepage, benefits of a career at USQ, HR roles and responsiblities, organisational development initiatives, and the management and leadership development site.

Job Advertisements

• Newspaper review to identify best practice undertaken and input sought from HR experts.
• Work undertaken with Marketing and external creative agency to develop new branded press job advertisement templates.
• Press advertisement templates finalised and published in the press from early July 2009.
• New online advertisement template launched as part of the new USQ CMS go-live.

Recruitment Process

• Industry best practice review of process undertaken.
• Input from HR experts and Reference Group members sought.
• Online recruitment proposal paper endorsed by ICT Strategy Committee in mid July with vendors invited to tender for supply and installation of software and services.  Implementation to commence early 2010. 
• Final Recruitment Process Proposals paper developed in draft containing a number of recommendations for USQ incorporating both an employee referral program paper and psychological testing paper.  To be considered for implementation in conjunction with e-Recruitment rollout in 2010.

Induction and Onboarding

• Revised Induction Policy approved.  Induction Policy Matrix updated to ensure consistency terminology and approach to Learning and Teaching induction for casual academic staff.
• Online HR induction program proposal paper and onboarding survey proposal papers endorsed by ICT Strategy Committee in mid July with vendors invited to tender for supply and installation of software and services.  Implementation to commence early 2010. 

Management and leadership capability and employee development

• Management and Leadership Program and Professional Staff Development Program formally launched to the Academic and Administrative Leaders group and subsequently communicated to staff.
• Two Academic and Administrative Leaders Forums held in June and December.
• Applications to participate in the Mentoring Program for New Supervisors and Managers called in May with 22 participants expressing interest in the initial 6 month trial.
• Online Professional Development Survey (a joint LTSU, HR and ICT initiative) released to staff in early August 2009.
• Dedicated professional development suite established on Level 2 of S Block.

Staff Benefits, Reward and Recognition

• Revisions to Study Assistance policy, procedures and funding (full funding for 2009 enrolments).
• Reward, recognition and benefits added as a topic area in the New Supervisor's Induction Workshops.
• Joint HR and Corporate Travel Office event – Fulfilling Careers: 2009 Employee Benefits and Travel Expo held on 16 June 2009 with over 300 attendees experiencing the range of travel, financial, lifestyle, career and community benefits available to employees at USQ.
• Contract signed with AIG Australia to provide an ‘employee discount program' and promote Cancer Care insurance to USQ employees in mid July with another rollout planned for 2010.
• Initial meeting scheduled with an external reward and recognition facilitator in early July to discuss the possibility of a branded and values based reward and recognition program at USQ.
• Reward and recognition identified as the theme for the 2nd Academic and Administrative Leaders forum in December.

Other Initiatives

• An employee climate/engagement survey proposal paper has been prepared for VCC consideration and endorsement for implementation in late 2009.

Future Activities

The Employee Attraction, Retention and Engagement Project has now been subsumed by the HR e-Technology Project which will see the introduction of online recruitment, induction and onboarding and exit surveying in 2010.