The Australian Public Service Commission has added new professional streams to help build APS capability. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Australian Public Service has entered a new phase of building its output, ability and skills through its APS Professions model.
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has launched three new APS professional streams to allow more employees to excel in their work.
APS Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer has appointed six “profession co-heads”, each tasked to bring the expertise and leadership required to embed the disciplines into the APS.
The new programs and co-heads are:
- Procurement and Contract Management – Richard Windeyer (Department of Finance), Deputy Secretary Commercial Group; Julia Pickworth (Department of Industry, Science and Resources), Deputy Secretary Industry and Commercialisation Group.
- Evaluation – Shane Johnson (Treasury), First Assistant Secretary Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy Division; Pia Andrews (Department of Home Affairs), Chief Data Officer, Data and Economic Analysis Centre.
- Complex Project Management Practices – Chris Deeble (Department of Defence), Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group; Liz Develin (Department of Health and Aged Care), Deputy Secretary Primary and Community Care.
The APS Professions model, a staff capability building initiative, aims to enhance the skills and expertise across the APS. For example, the Evaluation stream is designed to improve APS capability in rigorous impact evaluation, including randomised trials.
The model has already aimed to significantly improve APS capability in human resources, data and digital specialist expertise.
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said the model continued to evolve, ensuring targeted training and professional development within the APS aligned with the expectations of Australians.
“The new APS Professions are an investment in the people who deliver policy and programs that benefit Australians,” Mr Gorman said. “By investing in specialist streams, we can equip the public service to address the challenges ahead in the interaction of government, people and technology.
“As our world changes, so too must the APS. By focussing on these critical areas, we are preparing for the future and providing outstanding service for every Australian.
“I encourage interested APS employees to join a profession. This is an opportunity to build expertise in high-demand areas, advance your career, and serve Australia now and into the future.”
Part of the broader APS Reform agenda, the initiative seeks to ensure the APS can do its job well and deliver for every Australian.
Mr Gorman said investing in these new programs prepared the APS to meet future challenges and adapt.
“This is a significant next step in the Albanese Government’s determination to uplift the capability of the APS,” he said.
The new streams add to the existing APS Professions: HR, Digital and Data.
“Since its launch in 2019, the APS Professions has played a pivotal role. It has shaped the capabilities and effectiveness of the public service,” the APSC states on its website.
“The APS Professions aims to attract, develop, retain, and use experts in important areas.
“By focussing on these areas, we help our workforce achieve better results and improved government services.”
The website explains that “APS employees can belong to more than one profession and be part of a connected community with shared capabilities, experience and expertise across federal, state and local government departments and agencies”.
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