The selection process is underway for a provider for the Centre for Workplace Leadership.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten today invited proposals from organisations or consortia with capacity and expertise to establish and administer the Centre.

“The Centre is a flagship initiative of the Gillard Government and will play an important role in supporting our aim to increase workplace level productivity and the quality of jobs by improving leadership capability in Australian workplaces,” Mr Shorten said.

The Government has committed $12 million to the initiative, with the Centre expected to be up and running early in 2013.

“This will not be another training company. The Centre will drive a broader movement to provide good leadership which empowers employees and delivers greater job satisfaction, productivity and motivation,” Mr Shorten said.

“The specifics of the Centre’s work program will be determined largely by the successful proposal, with a focus on promoting and demonstrating innovative leadership, research, training and knowledge sharing.”

The Centre will be independent of Government and is designed to be supplemented by funding from the private sector.

“It will assist all types of workplaces, including small and medium enterprises, and promote the leadership capability of Australia’s youth,” Mr Shorten said.

“The successful organisation or consortia will have leading thinkers, researchers, industry and education and training expertise in the areas of leadership, high performing workplaces, effective management practices and quality jobs of the future.”

Minister Shorten will consult with the Centre for Workplace Leadership Advisory Group on the proposals.

Proposals will be accepted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations until 1.30 pm on Thursday 31 January 2013.

Documentation, including the Request for Proposals and the Program Guidelines, is available at www.deewr.gov.au/leadershipcentre

Members of the Centre for Workplace Leadership Advisory Group are:

-             Mr Richard Goyder – Managing Director, Wesfarmers Limited

-             Mr John Borghetti – Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Australia Group

-             Ms Ged Kearney – President, Australian Council of Trade Unions

-             Ms Catriona Noble – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s Australia

-             Mr Bill Kelty AC –  Former Secretary of the ACTU, Director of several public and private companies

-             Professor Amanda Sinclair – Melbourne Business School

-             Ms Pip Marlow – Managing Director, Microsoft Australia

-             Mr Ray Horsburgh AM – Chairman, TOLL Group

-             Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM – Secretary, Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

-             Mr Lindsay Fox  AC –  Founder and Chairman, LinFox

Mr Shorten’s Media Contact: Jessica Lindell — 0408 642 804

www.billshorten.com.au