Launch of the APS Data Professional Stream
Australian Public Service Commissioner, Mr Peter Woolcott AO, today launched the Australian Public Service (APS) Data Professional Stream, underpinning the continuing development of data capabilities across the APS workforce.
Mr Woolcott also announced the Australian Statistician, Dr David Gruen, as the first Head of the Data Profession.
“Data is critical for governments to make informed, effective decision making and the Data Professional Stream will underpin the further development of a skilled data workforce across the APS,” said Mr Woolcott.
“The Data Professional Stream is grounded in a Strategy to lift the data capability of the APS workforce, to generate deeper insights, inform evidence-based decisions and enable more effective service delivery.”
The launch of the stream will also see a range of practical initiatives to identify and grow talent, increase mobility across data roles, and build diversity into data roles. Specifically, these initiatives include:
- Getting it right from the start – including looking at how we attract talent to the APS, lift entry level skills and create the diversity profile of people in data roles.
- Developing sophisticated and specialist capabilities – including identifying and promoting learning and development opportunities and designing data role profiles.
- Embedding a professional workforce – including building career pathways, professional communities and professional standards.
Dr Gruen said the role of the Data Head of Profession was to champion good use of data, engender support for the Strategy and, through collaboration and contributions from all supporting agencies, deliver an effective program of work that brings the Strategy to life.
“The APS has long recognised the value of good data and its role in effective decision making,” Dr Gruen said.
“The launch of the Data Professional Stream is a strong statement of the importance the APS places on making sure that we provide a service-wide approach to continually lifting the capability of our data users and data professionals, while attracting and retaining the best talent possible.”
The Data Profession is the third professional stream for the APS, following the launch of the Human Resources Profession in October 2019 and the Digital Profession in April 2020.
These initiatives have been informed by international best practice in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Singapore. The APS is taking action now, as we deal with today’s challenges and continue to build a high-performing, diverse and flexible workforce that is fit for the future.
The Data Professional Stream Strategy can be accessed at www.apsc.gov.au/aps-data-professional-stream.
For further information, contact media@apsc.gov.au.