Mid-point program report – September 2021
As Head of the Data Profession, I am proud of the progress the Data Professional Stream has achieved against its ambitious work program.
There has been rapid growth and diversification of the data ecosystem, which provides strong support for the use of data to inform policy and effective service delivery, which are critical elements of the work of the public service.
A number of initiatives have been undertaken in the first year to establish a data literate APS workforce, with highly capable sophisticated and specialist data professionals. I’m particularly impressed by the success of the first APS Data Graduate Program, with 216 data graduates entering the APS into 15 agencies.
We will further grow this Program in year two. I’m excited by the success of our immersion program using cross agency mobility as an effective way to lift data capability between and within agencies - and I encourage all agencies to engage with this program.
I have enjoyed engaging with the network of data professionals though the quarterly newsletter and my In Conversation series. There are more videos in the pipeline over the next 12 months, in addition to networking events planned which I am looking forward to.
I’m especially pleased by the many partnership initiatives that will see the development of the APS data capability framework, increased SES data capabilities, defining of data roles, and the development of general data literacy pathways.
Constructive and collaborative partnerships with the APSC and a broad array of APS agencies are delivering very positive results for the development of the Data Profession and I look forward to even stronger results in year two of the program!
Dr David Gruen
Australian Statistician
Head of the Data Profession
Year one of the Data Profession has, by design, been one of establishing key, foundational elements to support an enduring profession. Much has been learned during the first year which is helping to shape our planned efforts for the year ahead.
This report gives the reader a sense of what the Data Profession has achieved in year one. The report considers progress of initiatives against agreed strategic priorities and success factors, as endorsed by the APS Commissioner and the Secretaries Board. I thank the team here at the ABS for their continued efforts, and the many agencies who are actively part of bringing a successful Data Profession for the APS to fruition.
Jenet Connell
Deputy Australian Statistician
Senior Responsible Officer
What does program success look like?
The below benefits highlight the benefit themes the APS Data Professional Stream will use to measure success.
Progress of initiatives against the Strategy
Overall Status: Green
In the Data Professional Stream Strategy there were 15 initiatives outlined across 6 objectives and 4 strategy themes. Of these 15 initiatives, 5 were achieved, 7 are in progress and 3 are to be commenced in Year two. We have measured our success in Year one by aligning benefit themes with progress against initiatives.
Year one of the Data Professional Stream (DPS) focused on establishing the network and building foundational programs and products that will enable capability uplift. Measures of success will continue to evolve as the program matures and program delivery shifts into embedding a professional data workforce over the next 12 months.
The remainder of the report details this progress against each of the strategy themes in addition to a status report on each of the initiatives.