A better work-life balance, less household shifts, and improved recognition of qualifications are some of the strategies that are encouraging skilled people to stay in the New Zealand Defence Force.
Navy, Army and Air Force attrition figures are all below their expected levels for the 08/09 financial year and all three Services are below the core public sector average of 18 percent, says Assistant Chief, Personnel, Brigadier Mark Wheeler.
“The main emphasis of retention work has been on identifying the reasons why personnel – especially experienced staff – are choosing to leave and then tailoring strategies that encourage them to stay,” he says.
“The NZDF is reviewing the number of postings that require moving households. It is enhancing career management services and encouraging work-life balance by rationalising workloads, and improving accreditation and cross-crediting of civilian qualifications.
“Our new Military Remuneration System (MRS) will be fully implemented by July 2009. It enables the salary settings of military positions to be compared with similar jobs in the wider employment market, provide Service personnel with more choice as to how they receive their total remuneration package, and give personnel a more transparent understanding of the total rewards they receive.
“We are pleased that initiatives like these appear to be having a positive impact. The tougher economic outlook is another reason people are considering a career in the Defence Force, and another reason those already in New Zealand’s Navy, Army or Air Force might be choosing to stay longer.”
Brigadier Wheeler says the complete picture around personnel is more positive than a year ago – total numbers have increased, and along with more skilled people choosing to stay, recruiting is also up.
Recruitment and retention have been critical issues for the New Zealand Defence Force in recent years, as it sustains a large number of overseas operational commitments, while bringing on new capabilities as part of a significant period of rebuilding.
A previously buoyant labour market made it harder for New Zealand’s Navy, Army and Air Force to attract and retain personnel. But new figures show that both recruitment and attrition have improved in the last six months, and overall, total Defence Force numbers have grown. At the end of December 2008, the Defence Force nominal strength was 14,150 personnel. This is an increase of 605 people (4.5 percent) since the same period last year.
Brigadier Wheeler says the Defence Force has been recruiting the maximum number of personnel into initial and trade training courses. Targeting staff with previous military experience is also paying dividends.
“Recruitment initiatives include a new advertising approach that uses the internet and mobile phone technology more effectively, while continuing to focus on the traditional media like television, print and road shows.”
Of the three Services, the Army has experienced the greatest people growth, with 250 more personnel (or a growth of 3.6 percent). The Air Force has grown by 129 personnel (4.3 percent), while Navy numbers grew by 48 (a 1.8 percent increase).
NZDF 12-month rolling attrition by Service June – Dec 2008
| Month |
NAVY |
ARMY |
AIR |
| Jul-08 |
17.46% |
15.14% |
9.92% |
| Aug-08 |
17.76% |
15.16% |
10.02% |
| Sep-08 |
17.52% |
15.48% |
9.71% |
| Oct-08 |
17.42% |
15.32% |
9.53% |
| Nov-08 |
16.97% |
14.8% |
9.46% |
| Dec-08 |
16.76% |
14.82% |
8.99% |
| Difference: |
- 0.24 |
- 0.18 |
- 1.01 |