Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2007/The changing face of Sea Change
By CMDR John Douglas
From humbler beginnings since being stood up as a project in 2004, Sea Change has grown in both size and capacity to influence.
The first quarter of 2005 saw the introduction of the Sea Change Implementation Management and Reporting System (SCIMARS) database which proved a very effective on-line support tool and feedback mechanism to better manage some 270 initiatives across the then seven key areas of Sea Change focus (centring on workplace reform).
Happy to be home, Lieutenant Andrew Spiller (HMAS Anzac), greets his wife, Tammy, on berthing after a long deployment. Pic by ABPH Jarrad Oliffe, Navy Imagery Unit - West.
In early 2006 the Chief of Navy appointed CDRE Clint Thomas as the first Head SCIT (HSCIT) in recognition of the need to do more. Mid-06 saw the standing up of the CNSAC-endorsed Sea Change Workforce Renewal Project (Key Area 8) which grouped up 10 major manpower reform activities. Later last year 'conditions of service' aspects were added as a new key area of interest, and while much of the authority for service conditions lies beyond Navy, there was a felt need that Navy must become a better customer.
In December 2006 and again in May 2007 the Government announced a number of recruitment and retention (R2) initiatives. Navy's proposals were grouped up under the Sea Change banner. Again, the implementation of many of these R2 initiatives are with other agencies in and beyond Navy; but the Sea Change imprimatur provides a label that Navy, Defence and Government readily identifies people improvement strategies with.
The evolution continues. Earlier this year Sea Change was elevated from project to program status reaffirming the enduring nature of SCIT's work. CDRE Craig Kerr is to assume the position of HSCIT to carry on this important work.
"I am really looking forward to taking up the HSCIT position and delivering on all that my predecessor, CDRE Clint Thomas, introduced under the Sea Change banner," CDRE Kerr said.
"Having just completed service as the Capability Manager for the Surface Combatants, I am very much attuned to the pressure our workforce is under and the significant effect that is having on delivering capability at sea.
"The challenges involved in retaining good people longer are extreme and my focus as HSCIT will be to make Navy a better employer and to improve the lot of Navy folk and their families, while continuing to deliver on our capability/operational commitments. I am delighted to be working with you to meet those challenges."
