FAQs Archive - Learning for Purpose

Q: This study: What are the goals?

Providing quality programs and services that reduce alcohol and other drug (AOD) related harms to communities requires a capable, healthy and motivated workforce. The research purpose is to better understand, prioritise and enhance sector capacity to attract, develop, engage and retain the non-government AOD workforce in NSW and VIC. The research studies how leaders and managers experience work, professional development opportunities, and careers challenges. The research findings will build an evidence base for improving organisational and governmental policy and practice, to create good quality work for all. Accordingly, increased awareness and implementation of evidence-based findings about the AOD sector workforce will benefit AOD services and the communities and people they serve.

Q: This study: What are the goals?

AOD Workforce Study : NGO Insights 2021 is a research study purposefully designed to understand and enhance the AOD sector capacity to attract, develop, engage and retain a suitably qualified and capable workforce that will succesfully meet the needs of clients, their families and significant others, and the broader community in NSW and VIC. The study is part of an applied research partnership between NADA, VAADA and Curtin University. The study seeks to: systematically establish and share robust evidence on the state and experiences of employees and volunteers operating across AOD services inform leaders, policy and practices related to AOD service workplaces about how to best attract, retain, engage and develop their people increased attention and attitude toward evidence-based decision making to make work better and thus improve AOD sector outcomes Participation is open until 30th September 2021 .

Q: Technical details: How does this work?

The Personal Analytics Report functions for anyone who completes the online survey of the Australian Not-for-Profit Workforce Study. Your responses are automatically anonymised, aggregated, and analysed. We use state-of-the-art cloud technology to store, secure and process the data. Your Personal Analytics Report is immediately available to you at the end of the survey.

Q: Technical details: How does this work?

The Workforce Analytics Dashboard functions for every organisation, regardless if you employ hundreds or got a few volunteers. When completing the Australian Not-for-Profit Workforce Study, your staff select their workplace from a very comprehensive list of organisations, or add your organisation to that list. Staff responses are then automatically anonymised, aggregated, and analysed into your Workforce Analytics Dashboard. We use state-of-the-art cloud technology to store, secure and process the data. Everything is immediately in sync with all complete responses from your staff. At any time you may register to access the Workforce Analytics Dashboard. We will make sure you are indeed you and eligible for access. You will then receive an email with a unique code required to access the Workforce Analytics Dashboard that represents your organisation.

Q: The interview: What to expect?

Participating involves completing one 1-on-1 interview with a trained academic researcher during a time that is convenient for you. The interview can take up to 60 minutes and will be via phone or Microsoft Teams. Typical interview questions relate to you and your work experience, which way you feel about your job, what you think about the future, which skills you need most, and so on.

Q: Eligibility: Is this for us?

The Workforce Analytics Dashboard is available at no charge to all Not-for-Profit and For-Purpose organisations including registered charities, associations, professional or trade groups, social clubs, amateur sports and recreation organisations, among other. We love to support everyone. If in doubt, contact us .

Q: For free: Why is there no cost?

The Australian Not-for-Profit Workforce Study and its Analytics functions are provided to you by Learning for Purpose, an initiative led by the Centre for Social Impact, the University of Western Australia. Support is provided by the Australian Research Council (Linkage grant LP140100245), EY, Australian Scholarships Foundation, and Australian Executor Trustees. All partners are committed to making a meaningful impact at scale and understand that access and affordability are major barriers in the Not-for-Profit sector. We believe that addressing real challenges through outstanding research is advantageous to the real world. Using modern technology, we built the infrastructure and dramatically lowered the cost - it's free.

Q: Unique value: How is this different?

The Workforce Analytics Dashboard brings your organisational data to life. The data is generated through participation in the Australian Not-for-Profit Workforce Study . It is the most comprehensive research study of its kind on and for Not-for-Profit organisations, and their employees and volunteers working at all levels. Findings will be freely shared. The people behind this research are established scholars at renowned Australian academic institutions. There is no commercial interest. The remit is to apply scientific principles and evidence to the challenges and opportunities of the Not-for-Profit workforce to inform people, practice, policy and funding. There is a history of research . Dialogue with Not-for-Profit organisations, leaders, funders, peak bodies, and HR professionals did inform the study and the dashboard. It’s all designed to meet both scholarly rigor and applied needs. We envision this to continue into the future, so you can use this for as long as you like, again and again. Did we mention it’s free?

Q: What is the ‘Action Learning for Purpose’ program?

The Action Learning fur Purpose program is an intensive learning experience for highly motivated Not-for-Profit leaders and their organisations who seek to make a bigger difference for the community they serve. The program is a hybrid approach to developing individuals, teams, organisations, and a particular project of your choice. The program provides community sector leaders and their organisations with the unique opportunity to engage in systematic learning and doing – away from the hectic routines and obligations. It provides resources and support that guide your goals, their implementation, and crucial reflection processes. And it connects people from within and across organisations.

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