5.3 APS Craft

Contents

Collaboration and knowledge sharing are foundational to the APS Academy’s success in drawing on existing APS strengths, supported by research and evaluation, systems and partnerships.

APS Craft capabilities describe the fundamental capabilities needed across the APS. Broader than profession-specific skillsets, each craft provides employees with the necessary foundation of skills across six areas (Figure 5.3).

Figure 5.3: APS Craft Wheel

A circular infographic showing the key capabilities targeted by APS Craft. APS Craft comprises six areas of capability unique to the APS: Integrity, Working in Government, Engagement and Partnership, Implementation and Services, Strategy, Policy and Evaluation and Leadership and Management.

Source: APSC

To build craft capabilities the APS Academy delivers a range of high-quality, innovative and targeted capability development offerings in partnership with other APS agencies, academia and the private sector.

In 2022, 1,442 people participated in a Craft Conversation. This series of live discussions highlights emerging contemporary practices, discusses up-to-date and emerging issues and challenges, and provides a platform to promote real-world successes from across the APS. For example, one Craft Conversation was held on digital and data professions with the topic ‘What is Digital and Data and why it matters’.

In 2022, 1,227 people engaged in six MasterCraft sessions, where experts from the six APS Crafts help APS staff hone their craft. The most attended MasterCraft session was ‘Making the most from your capability framework’, with 192 participants. This session focused on building a better understanding of an agency’s capability framework. The ATO’s Workforce Strategy team explained aspects of its capability framework and the capabilities, skills, knowledge and behaviours of its workforce. The ATO team also discussed how to assess and develop capability effectively using a framework.

In addition to honing APS craft, the APS Academy delivers high-quality, innovative and targeted capability development offerings in partnership with other APS agencies, academia and the private sector.

Delivering great policy program

Two logos. The first logo consists of several stacked boxes, and is a logo for the ‘Delivering Great Policy’ offering. Next to it is several shapes as part of the logo for the ‘Australian Public Service Academy’.

The Delivering Great Policy program has been designed in partnership with PM&C and co-facilitated by experienced policy practitioners and the APS Academy to deliver learning offerings to lift policy capability across the APS. In 2022, 318 APS employees undertook a Delivering Great Policy offering.

This policy program directly addresses a key capability gap highlighted in the Thodey Review.[46] It is an example of how the APS Academy is leveraging the expertise of different parts of the APS to build and offer capability development widely.

Excellence in professional regulation

The APS Academy has partnered with PM&C and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver the Excellence in Professional Regulation pilot program. The program supports senior executives in shaping regulatory organisations and culture, and provides regulatory staff with the essential skills, knowledge and tools to be an effective regulatory practitioner.

The APS Academy has worked with SkillsIQ to develop a new vocational education and training qualification, the Certificate IV in Government (Regulation). This supports the development and professionalisation of APS regulators.

 

A border control officer engaging with a passenger who has items out for inspection on a table
Biosecurity Officer (Image: DAFF)

Budget program with finance

The APS Academy is working in partnership with the Department of Finance to deliver the Budget Policy Advancement Program. This immersive learning experience allows participants to develop knowledge and understanding of the budget process. It also builds skills in developing and costing new policy proposals, and preparing policy advice to support Cabinet consideration of budget proposals (Figure 5.4). The program incorporates all four components of the APS Continuous Learning Model, providing participants with opportunities to learn through work, people, courses and resources.

Figure 5.4: Budget Policy Advancement Program pathway

An infographic describing the budget policy advancement program pathway. This program is a collaboration between the APSC and the Department of Finance.

Source: APSC

Building a One APS mindset and capability from the outset
A panel of speakers sitting on a stage in conversation
Whole-of-APS graduate event, Executive Q&A, 31 May 2022 (Image: APSC)
The APS Graduate Development Program is a 10-month flagship development pathway for new APS graduates, with a focus on core APS Craft. It concentrates on working in Government, leadership and management skills and promoting a One APS mindset from the outset among new graduate recruits.
The program is available to graduates in all APS agencies regardless of location. Participation increased from 143 graduates in 2021 to 210 graduates in 2022. With increasing participation of more geographically dispersed graduates, the program is expected to expand in 2023.
The program demonstrates new ways of learning and working together to build capability. It aligns with the APS L&D Strategy’s continuous learning model and offers a consistent approach and experience for participants, while reducing duplication of effort and investment across agencies.
Delivery is through workshops, graduate events, individual and group coaching, on-the-job activities, peer discussion, and self-directed learning. Agencies can now access graduate development through three pathways – the Graduate Development Program, a tailored approach where agencies supplement their own in-house program, and enrolment in APS graduate events.
 

Footnotes

[46] Commonwealth of Australia, Our Public Service, Our Future. Independent Review of the Australian Public Service, 13 December 2019.

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