Enhancing the ICT skills of the APS with the whole-of-government strategic ICT Workforce Plan and Career Structure

The 2008 Gershon review provided a comprehensive and detailed analysis of a wide range of issues affecting the Government’s use and management of information and communications technology (ICT).

The review outlined a staged plan for the implementation of a number of recommendations, including the need to enhance the management of the Australian Public Service ICT skills base through the delivery of a whole-of-government ICT Career Structure; and strategic ICT Workforce Plan (i.e. Recommendation 4).

The development of a whole-of-government strategic ICT Workforce Plan and Career Structure takes into account broader public service reforms, including a number of high-level reviews, such as the Cutler Review of the National Innovation System and the APS Reform Blueprint.

The strategic ICT Workforce Plan

The whole-of-government strategic ICT Workforce Plan provides a high level overview of the issues affecting the ICT workforce and strategies to address the future human capital needs of ICT employment in the Australian Public Service.

Using this plan, agencies will be better able to plan, develop and manage a qualified, satisfied and flexible ICT workforce, while providing an attractive career path for ICT professionals within the APS.

Organisational leaders within the APS will be able to complement existing agency staff planning processes and gain a whole-of-government perspective when planning current and future ICT capability and capacity needs using the strategic ICT Workforce Plan.

The ICT Career Structure

The ICT Career Structure consists of a whole-of-Government ICT capability framework and online career planning tool.

The ICT Career Structure is built upon an internationally recognised ICT capability model – the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and is a key underpinning for the whole-of-government ICT Career Structure.

The ICT Career Structure is available to members of the Australian Public Service (APS). Its purpose is to support ICT employees in the APS with their career planning and capability development.

Enquiries regarding the whole-of-government strategic ICT Workforce Plan and Career Structure should be directed to: ictskills@apsc.gov.au