Learning by Example: A Case Study of Partnership Resource Centre Practices - The Aubert Home of Compassion

6. About the Partnership Resource Centre

The Government established the Partnership Resource Centre (PRC) in October 2004 to work with employers and unions in building new positive relationships in the workplace. At the core of the PRC's work is the idea that constructive relationships between employers and unions are important in achieving innovation, growing productivity and improving service delivery.

There's a strong focus on the process in the PRC's work: workplace partnership offers a way to identify the objectives that benefit both the employer and the union, and share the ownership of outcomes and problems. By recognising the value of the different perspectives of these "partners", workplace partnership can provide a framework and a springboard for building longer-term relationships based on cooperation.

The PRC offers expertise and resources to advocate workplace partnership among employers and unions, to act as a catalyst for partnership, and to provide a range of support services to organisations wanting to develop workplace partnerships. To help do this, the PRC engages a group of independent consultants with wide and varied knowledge and experience in industrial relations and organisational development. Typically, these "Associates" of the PRC help unions and employers develop the skills and processes needed to build their partnership by focusing on critical issues in their workplace.