Career Pathways
The Australian Government Career Pathways initiative has grown to include 10 graduate streams and multiple other pathway programs, facilitating first steps for a career in the public service.
The initiative plays an important role in ensuring the Government maintains a strong presence in the job marketplace as an employer of choice. A coordinated approach and positive user experience is key to securing talent. This encourages members of the community to locate and apply for diverse roles across the public sector and provides a pipeline of employees with priority skills and capabilities.
Using the One-APS model, individual Australian Public Service agencies conduct recruitment processes on behalf of the whole service, supported by the Australian Public Service Commission which provides coordination, central marketing and best-practice guidance across all programs.
The 10 streams available in the APS Graduate Development Program now include the legal, finance, human resource and digital professions. As at June 2023, the program had grown to over 1,400 positions, an increase of 180% from June 2021. Over 7,000 new applications were received, representing a 28% increase on application numbers from the previous financial year.
A range of other programs attract and support employees with varying levels of experience and education. This includes cadetships, traineeships and mentoring programs, and opportunities to obtain vocational qualifications.
Applicants can self-select which program aligns with their studies and professional development needs. Once successful in their application, participants are supported to continue to develop in their chosen pathway.
Secretaries Board has agreed to expand the APS-wide approach to attraction and recruitment to all entry level and career change programs under the umbrella of the Career Pathways initiative.
See also
Australian Government (n.d) Career Pathways, APS Jobs website, https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/career-pathways-home, accessed 24 July 2023.