Learning and Development
Finance aims to provide attractive learning and development opportunities for its staff. Displaying the ability to learn is one of Finance’s Valued Behaviors and is a core expectation of all staff. During 2008-09, Finance spent 1.78 per cent of the department’s operating budget on learning and development opportunities for staff, exceeding the targeted minimum rate of 1.5 per cent. In Finance’s 2008 staff survey, 79 per cent of respondents agreed that Finance places a high priority on the learning and development of employees. In the 2008 APSC State of the Service Employee Survey, 65 per cent of the Finance staff surveyed indicated they were satisfied with their access to learning and development opportunities at Finance, compared with 55 per cent across the broader APS.
Finance’s learning and development strategies are set out in the department’s Learning and Development Framework, which helps staff to identify and access the most appropriate learning and development opportunities for their needs. The framework encompasses a range of suitable development opportunities for all departmental staff from APS1 to Senior Executive Service (SES) Band 3. These opportunities are both on-the-job and through formal and informal training. The framework requires staff to develop a learning and development plan as part of the performance management cycle each year. Staff agree on their plan with their manager, who is expected to encourage and motivate them to engage in continuous learning and to periodically assess their development.
During 2008-09, Finance delivered a broad range of programs to staff, including programs to develop leadership and professional skills for various groups within the department, as well as support for university study. These programs achieved high participation rates and consistently positive feedback from participants.
Graduate Development
Finance’s Graduate Development Program helps provide graduates with the skills and knowledge required to underpin their future careers within the department and the APS.
During 2008-09, Finance reviewed its Graduate Development Program and changed the structure from a mandatory program to a program that combines mandatory and customised training. The generic component of the program covers a range of base-level training, a leadership off-site, as well as various networking events. The customised component of the program is tailored to the needs of the individual graduate and their branch, and is developed in consultation with the graduate, their manager, and the Learning and Development Team.
Leadership Development
During 2008-09, Finance supported an increased range of leadership development programs for future leaders within the APS5 and APS6 levels, as well as Executive Level (EL) and SES officers.
Selected SES officers represented the department in a range of leadership programs during the year. One SES Band 3 officer attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. A number of SES Band 2 officers took part in core leadership programs run by the APSC including the Leading Australia’s Future in the Asia-Pacific and Leading Across Boundaries programs. Three SES Band 1 officers attended the Leadership for a Democratic Society program run by the Federal Executive Institute in Virginia, USA, and one SES Band 1 officer participated in the Leadership Insight program run by the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
In June 2009, Finance ran two in-house residential programs targeted specifically at EL2 officers, which sought to develop their skills in management, influencing and negotiating. Five EL2 officers also attended the APSC’s Career Development Assessment Centre.
Finance is a member of The Leadership Consortium, which provided a number of leadership programs over the course of the year. Sixteen EL1 and SES Band 1 officers attended programs run by the organisation, including one new program entitled The Effective Leader that targets the EL1 level.
Professional Skills Development
The Professional Skills Training Program offers a comprehensive selection of learning and development opportunities for Finance staff. In 2008-09, 423 participants attended 31 in-house courses across four key streams: Professional Capability; Leadership and Management; Professional Qualifications; and Career Development.
Study and Professional Membership Assistance
Finance provides support to staff wishing to undertake approved further study in the form of both leave and financial assistance. In 2008-09, 146 staff received assistance for study relevant to the operational needs of the department at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
Finance also provides financial assistance to staff who are members of a recognised organisation with aims relevant to the department’s operational needs, for their membership or subscription fees. Finance reimbursed 112 staff under this program in 2008-09.
Postgraduate Study Program
Through a partnership with the Australian National University, Finance staff have the opportunity to undertake postgraduate studies in management. The three intensive courses offered exclusively to Finance staff in 2008-09 saw 68 participants study units as a single program or towards a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Master of Management, or a Master of Business Administration. Two students completed a Graduate Certificate in Management during 2008-09.
Undergraduate Study Program for Career Starters
Finance continued its Undergraduate Study Program for Career Starters in 2008-09. The program aims to help Career Starters to work and gain relevant APS experience while studying part-time to complete tertiary qualifications in business administration, commerce or management. At June 2009, there were eight Career Starters enrolled in the program.
COMCAR Driver Training
Finance provides ongoing driver training to COMCAR drivers and, in 2008-09, 15 driver training courses were held throughout Australia, involving 273 drivers. COMCAR staff also participated in a Workplace Relations Training Program in June 2009, targeting effective workplace communication.
Finance Learning Centre
The Learning Centre provides Finance officers with the opportunity to attend seminars on various topics presented by internal speakers and high-profile external speakers from the public and private sectors.
In 2008-09, the theme Strong People Create Strong Organisations – Supporting Personal Health, Wealth and Happiness continued from the previous year, with notable speakers including Ms Lynelle Briggs, the then Australian Public Service Commissioner, and the late Mr Doug Jukes, former Global Head of People at KPMG.
Learning and Development Panel
On 31 July 2008, Finance launched a Learning and Development Panel of Service Providers. This non-exclusive panel includes 16 organisations that provide services across areas including the delivery of training programs, facilitation services, executive coaching and career coaching programs for Finance staff and Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 employees. 42 orders had been placed through the panel as at 30 June 2009.