The Bulletin, 27 August 2002

Catholic Education Office - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn

"Empowering" The CEO and Archdiocesan Schools

On 22 July 2002 Mr. Geoff Joy, Director of the Catholic Education Office and Mr. Dean Littlefield, Chief Executive Officer of Empower International signed an agreement for the purchase and installation of the EMPOWER, Human Resources Information Management System.

Over the past twelve months the Catholic Education Office has been investigating a replacement for the current payroll system and the purchase of a payroll/human resources system that would assist in managing the multitude of HR functions required by the Archdiocesan community of schools. This project has been closely linked with the ICT Strategic Plan developed by the Catholic Education Office and currently being delivered to schools across the Archdiocesan.

Empower HR will provide the CEO with an integrated Human Resource Management Information System that provides comprehensive functionality for the management of all aspects of the employee life cycle.

The first phase of the project will involve the development and installation of a new payroll system. Over the next eight weeks the CEO payroll team will be involved in training for implementing the new system. The target date for completing the first 'live' pay run is 23 October 2002.

In the first phase schools will notice little difference from the existing system but as we progress to subsequent phases significant difference in the way we provide our services will emerge. A summary of the major features of the new system are outlined for the information of all staff.

Features of "EMPOWER" Human Resources Management System

In seeking a solutions to the needs of the CEO and schools for a modern integrated HR System nine major requirements were identified as part of the specification.

1. A high level of security and reliability to ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
2. Remote access for staff employed across the Archdiocese
3. A browser based, interactive database management system incorporating reporting and assessment flexibility and efficiencies.
4. The capability to manage or integrate with other systems that manage a broad range of complex and specialised functions.
5. Flexibility and scalability to permit the system to grow and change to meet the demands of the CEO and schools.
6. The facility to import data from other functional areas.
7. A payroll module core for:
* Single entry of data from multiple sites such as the CEO and schools
* Electronic processing of key personnel functions such as leave and casual relief payments.
8. A payroll module to provide all the basic payroll functions.
9. A professional development module suitable for an education system.

The modules that make up the EMPOWER System include:

• Organisational Structure
• Personnel Administration
• Position Management
• Payroll
• Leave Management
• Professional Development
• Skills
• Recruitment
• OH & S
• Report Design
• Strategic Reporting
• Employee Self Service

During 2003 staff in Archdiocesan schools will be familiarised with the employee self service module. Empower HR uses Internet technology to allow staff to view and change personal information, access HR policies and procedures as well as submit forms and requests on-line, eliminating paper trail proformas for many requests.

The introduction of the new system will present some challenges for all staff. However as these changes are overcome we will be able to move forward with a new and modern system that will serve our needs into the future.