Rethinking Our Approach to Workforce Challenges

Proudly delivered in partnership with LG Professionals NSW.

Councils are navigating increasingly complex workforce pressures, driven by shifting community expectations, ageing demographics, limited talent pipelines, and long-standing systems that no longer support effective ways of working. These challenges highlight the need for fresh approaches that strengthen capability, enhance everyday work experiences, and create environments where people can contribute, grow, and feel connected to meaningful work. This forum invites senior leaders to explore practical, evidence-informed methods for addressing these critical workforce issues.

In this Global Insight Forum, we will examine how two councils have responded to workforce pressures through modern workforce design, internal development initiatives, and cultural improvements. Participants will gain insights into approaches that foster professional growth, support internal mobility, and create opportunities for people to shape and influence their organisation. The session will provide real-world examples of how capability can be strengthened across diverse local government contexts.

City of Arcadia, California

The City of Arcadia has faced challenges common across local government, including competition for specialised skills, outdated internal systems, and workflows that were no longer enabling efficient service delivery. Recognising these barriers, the city initiated a series of efforts aimed at modernising people practices and building stronger internal capability.

These initiatives included clearer development pathways, opportunities for staff to take part in internal projects, and new channels for employees to share their ideas and experiences. Arcadia’s use of “stay interviews” helped uncover improvement opportunities and led to the creation of an innovation team that has since delivered several well-received culture-building activities — including the widely known “puppy day” project, which contributed to greater connection across the organisation.

This forum will explore Arcadia’s journey, including how it lifted capability, streamlined processes, and strengthened workplace culture to support an environment where people can do their best work over time. 

Registrations at our events and programs are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests unless specified otherwise on the event or program brochure.

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