This is to advise of the launch of the NSW Government Sage Centre at www.sagecentre.nsw.gov.au. This site is an outcome of the Mature Workforce Retention Project, lead by the Office for Ageing, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) in partnership with NSW Premier's Department and five public sector organisations.

The internet site provides specialist information and resources to assist public sector organisations to manage the risks associated with the loss of critical skills and knowledge as many of our experienced employees transition to retirement. The NSW Government Sage Centre has two streams:

• A Manager's Toolkit - an online resource centre to support human resource, line managers, and leaders to address the risks, challenges and opportunities that the ageing of the workforce will bring.
• A Retirement Centre providing tools and expert information to help staff plan a successful and rewarding retirement, including information about health, finances, and leisure.

All public sector employees can register on line and will receive a password and log in. Attached to this circular you will find some background information which can be included in advice to your staff. Agencies are encouraged to place a link to the Centre on their intranet and recommend the Centre to their staff.

Site management will be undertaken by Office for Ageing within DADHC. Content and case studies will be updated regularly and I encourage all agencies to contribute material that will assist in the further development of the site to [email protected].

A full report of the Mature Workforce Retention Project is available on the site, and can also be accessed on the Premier's Department and DADHC websites.

A foundation for the project was the finding of the NSW Public Sector Retirement Intentions Survey that employees wanted to be able to access information so that they can better plan for their retirement. Over 18,000 public sector employees responded to that survey in 2005.

I am pleased that the NSW Government Sage Centre provides a range of resources which address the needs identified in the survey and contributes to workforce planning in the public sector.

C Gellatly
Director-General

Issued : Workforce Planning (Public Employment Office)
Contact : Kent Broadhead
Email : [email protected]
Telephone no : (02) 9228 3130 Facsimile: (02) 9228 5087
File no : PSM/07681