ACT Public Sector Development Programs
A range of Whole of Government professional development programs were offered across the ACT Public Sector during the 2017-18 reporting period. In addition to strengthening the capabilities of participating employees, Whole of Government programs offer the opportunity to build collaboration and networks across the ACT Public Sector.
The ACTPS Graduate Program attracts high calibre graduates from across Australia and builds the diversity of our workforce. It is a full time program conducted over ten months, offering graduates three diverse work rotations, tailored learning and development, and permanent appointment upon successful completion. The ACTPS Graduate Program employs candidates to a range of streams including:
- Commerce and Business;
- Law;
- Sustainability/Environment/Planning;
- Public Administration and Policy;
- ICT; and
- Health Professionals.
The learning and development training courses that the graduates complete include Cultural Awareness, Resilience and Wellbeing, Strategic Thinking in the workplace and Working with Ministers. As part of the program, graduates participate in a ‘Graduate Debate’ where two teams work alongside an Executive and debate topics endorsed by the Strategic Board.
Graduates are also required to complete a group research project under the guidance of an Executive sponsor. Topics for the group research project involve real issues, challenges or initiatives that the ACTPS is facing. Topics addressed by the 2017 graduates included:
- Open Access (Freedom of Information);
- Autonomous Vehicles in the ACT;
- Inclusive Canberra – What steps can the Government, business and community do to become the most LGBTIQ-friendly city in Australia?; and
- Information Sharing and Family Violence.
In 2017, 160 applicants attended the assessment centre with 51 graduates (our largest ever cohort) being successful and commencing in the 2018 ACTPS Graduate Program. Twenty-five (25) per cent of the cohort are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates or graduates with a disability.
The ACTPS has an internal target to continue growing the graduate program each year. In 2019, the graduate program is looking to engage 60 graduates. In 2018-19, a Whole of Government strategic workforce plan for graduate entry level positions will be developed.
Preparation is ongoing for the 2019 Graduate intake. Applications for the 2019 ACTPS Graduate Program closed on 2 May 2018. Close to 1,000 applications were received and 186 progressed to the assessment centres. Work is underway to assess candidates for commencement in February 2019.
Snapshot
Graduate Debate 2017
In August, the 2017 ACTPS Graduate cohort took on the 2016 Graduate cohort to debate the topic “Failure is necessary for innovation”.
The 2017 Graduates, led by Geoffrey Rutledge, Executive Director, Strategic Policy and Cabinet, CMTEDD – Clair Reidy, Daniel Hauptberger and Lucy Albiston – argued for the affirmative whilst the 2016 Graduates – led by Ash Balaretnaraja, Director, Cabinet Office, CMTEDD – Callum Stringer, Kym Johnson and Linda Palmer – argued for the negative.
In what was a very memorable and entertaining debate, Kathy Leigh, Head of Service was delighted to hear a very clear focus on one of our core values, innovation.
Excerpt from the Head of Service message:
“It is important as public servants that we continually look for ways to improve our skills and services, and that we welcome change and new ideas as part of our work. The debate encouraged ongoing dialogue on how we can all engage in innovative thinking and design. The enthusiasm of our past and current graduate’s displayed gives me confidence that the future of our small and dynamic service is in great hands.”
As outlined in Section B.2 (Performance Analysis), in 2017-18, the ACTPS has continued to build the workforce capability required to be an agile, responsive and innovative public service that is able to deliver the Government’s priorities and provide effective services to the ACT community now and into the future.
Strengthening the leadership and capability of the ACTPS executive cohort continued to be a key focus on leading an agile, responsive and innovative public service into the future during the 2017-18 reporting period. The Executive Speaker series focussed on community engagement, digital transformation, collaboration with the National Capital Authority and leadership.
The ‘Leaders Leading Learning’ Program was delivered to 64 Band 1 executives between May 2017 and October 2017 with a focus on leading innovation, engaging with risk and leading transformational change. In 2018-19, executive learning and development will focus on people and culture, change management and citizen-centric design principles to enhance program/project management outcomes.