New ATG secretary

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 465, 8 December 1992, Page 5

New ATG secretary

By

Jan

Savell

In her new position as , Regional Secretary for the Army Training Group Jan Taepa will need to use all her management and financial skills. Jan Taepa has a background of public service for military forces that began 12 years ago with a clerical position for Base Supply Battalion. Her last position was as the financial adviser for Support Command (Wellington). Regional Secretary is the senior civilian position in any New Zealand military camp. The regional secretary provides financial advice for the Commander of the region and manages all civilian staff. Jan sees the second part of her job as very important. "I think we should have a more active role in setting up training programmes for civilians within the camp. We have a high staff turnover here because they tend to have spouses in the military. We want to get away from the idea of 'it's not what you know'." Jan wants to widen the base of employees and is currently advertising in the

Waimarino and Taihape areas for prospective job applicants. "The reality is that civilians don't stay forever. We should be upskilling them for our own and their benefit." Jan Taepa is a keen sportswoman. She plays

Wellington representative hockey for a veteran's team and has already joined the local softball club. Golf and tramping are also on her agenda. "I want to make the most of the area while I'm here," she said.