The APS Workforce Strategy was delivered by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) in line with the Government's APS Reform Agenda. The strategy was developed to enhance the operation of the Australian Public Service (APS) as one enterprise, with a high performing workforce that delivers effectively and efficiently for all Australians.
The first year of implementation has brought many successes, with APSC partnering with agencies to deliver some key practical capability building workforce management initiatives, such as:
- establishing the APS Academy to drive enterprise-wide learning and development opportunities, with a focus on core capabilities fundamental to a high-performing APS
- releasing the APS Learning and Development Strategy and Action Plan – incorporating a new Learning Board, to help drive efficiency and reduce duplication across the APS
- implementing 3 APS Professional Streams in Data, Digital and HR
- supporting a pro-integrity culture, implementing various recommendations from the Sedgwick Report, including mandatory foundational integrity training
- developing our talent management systems to build our senior leadership pipeline
- expanding the Australian Government Graduate Program, to strengthen graduate streams and expanding this approach to all entry pathways including internships, cadetships and apprenticeships
- establishing the APS Mobility Framework and APS Surge Reserve to support the mobilisation of APS employees during crisis
- fostering diversity in the APS, to leverage a breadth of perspectives and expertise supported by the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, the Disability Employment Strategy, and the APS Gender Equality Strategy
- developing capability building initiatives focused on critical and emerging skills and capabilities.
The APS Workforce Planning Centre of Excellence works towards a one APS approach. It builds workforce planning capability by allowing workforce planning practitioners from across the APS to access workforce planning resources and collaborate through their Community of Practice.
The Centre was featured internationally by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) as a best practice approach to uplifting workforce planning capability across the enterprise. It has also been shortlisted for the Institute of Public Administration Australia's (IPAA) 'Spirit of Service Award', with winners to be announced in May 2022!
Looking ahead, year 2 of implementation offers many exciting opportunities, to build on the work already underway to enhance capability across the APS.
For more information on how the APS Workforce Planning Centre of Excellence is building strategic workforce planning skills, and how senior leaders, HR practitioners and employees can begin using the Strategy visit APS Workforce Strategy 2025.