Enhancing the APS ICT skills base
The Review of the Australian Government’s use of Information and Communication Technology made several recommendations targeted at enhancing the management of the Australian Public Service (APS) ICT skills base:
- creation of a whole-of-government ICT career structure
- development and maintenance of a whole-of-government strategic ICT workforce plan
- implementation of a series of leadership events to promote greater understanding of ICT issues at senior levels of government
- establishment of a whole-of-government tele-working policy
- sponsorship of annual ICT awards
- reduce Canberra-centricity of government ICT activities
A cross-agency team from the Australian Public Service Commission (Commission) and the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) is working to deliver these objectives.
Whole-of-government ICT career structure
The career pathway aims to support ICT employees in the APS with their career planning and capability development. The pathway will deliver a toolset, which will include:
- capability profiles
- self assessment tools
- career transition tools
- learning and development options
The toolset will be available to all APS staff online.
The ICT career pathway will be released in March 2010.
ICT career structure & ICT workforce plan FAQ
Whole-of-government strategic ICT workforce plan
The strategic workforce plan will detail the current capacity and capability of the APS ICT workforce, identify the anticipated movement of these factors in the short to medium term, and also outline the shifts in capability and capacity required to help agencies effectively deliver Government priorities.
The strategic workforce plan will include strategies to address any capacity and capability gaps identified as a result of the strategic analysis, demand forecasting, and supply forecasting that is undertaken. Stakeholder inputs, including from agencies and APS employees will be an important source for strategy development. The workforce plan will also include whole-of-government strategies for the improved recruitment, retention and engagement of ICT personnel.
ICT career structure & ICT workforce plan FAQ
Equipping organisational leaders to harness the benefits of ICT
To promote a greater understanding of ICT issues at senior levels of agencies, a suite of information and educational opportunities will be established for non-ICT SES officers. These will include workshops, articles and specific organisational events for Leaders.
Whole-of-government tele-working policy for ICT staff
Australian Government agencies will be provided with a framework for establishing, implementing and maintaining a tele-working policy for ICT employees. The primary objective of the policy is to assist agencies with the attraction and retention of suitably skilled ICT professionals.
Sponsorship of annual awards
To raise the professionalism of ICT, the Government will sponsor annual awards to recognise outstanding professionalism in key ICT disciplines. The awards will be incorporated into established award programs and will be open to ICT professionals working in the APS.
Reduce the Canberra-centricity of existing agency ICT activities
Larger APS agencies will be required to demonstrate how they will develop/increase their capability to manage ICT work remote from Canberra. This will require the development of 5-10 year plans.
Contact information
Cross Agency ICT Skills, Australian Public Service Commission ictskills@apsc.gov.au
Cross Agency ICT Skills, AGIMO ictskillsreform@finance.gov.au
Contact for information on this page: ICTskillsreform@finance.gov.au