QUT Canberra’s Executive Education Centre celebrated its biggest graduation class last month with the Australian Public Sectors’ (APS) increasing investment in preparing staff for workplace changes.
Hosted at Canberra Old Parliament House, the ceremony was attended by QUT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Sheil with a keynote presentation by the Australian Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott.
Mr Woolcott’s speech focused on the importance of developing a workforce that was adaptable and was “fit for the future”.
“Put simply, our job is to help government effectively and efficiently meet the hopes and aspirations of the Australian people,” Mr Woolcott said.
“Trust from the people stems a lot from the government’s ability to deliver on its promises which is about implementation.”
The APS is currently developing a Workforce Strategy, focused on the core elements of leadership, capability and culture.
QUT’s graduation numbers were indicative of this, with almost all 55 graduates working in the public sector.
QUT’s executive education programs are designed to equip business leaders with the skills necessary to navigate the disruptions of the new national and global business environment.
“The nature of work is changing across every workplace with rapid advances in computer power and data growth, advances in artificial intelligence, digitalisation and automation,” Mr Woolcott said.
“The APS is looking at structure, culture and capabilities to re-orient and maintain the confidence of Government and the Australian people.
“A key component of this self-review is the development of employees to leverage different skills, knowledge, experiences and networks.”
Canberra’s graduates included twenty-one students from Commonwealth and Territory Government agencies who had completed the Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management), QUT’s specialist program designed specifically for managers in the Australian public service.
The program has a twenty-eight year record of success, with a relevant curriculum that meets the changing needs of the public sector and non-government organisations.
The remaining students graduated across the Graduate Certificate in Business (Strategic Management in Government), and the Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA).
The EMBA cohort included students from Defence, non-government as well as the private sector.
It also included the first graduate cohorts from new custom designed programs with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, and the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
Several reforms are currently underway in the Australian Public Sector to modernise the public service to drive change now and into the immediate future.
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