By the APSC
Have you ever wondered what the future of work could look like for the APS?
Alongside focusing on the implementation of Delivering for Tomorrow: APS Workforce Strategy 2025, the APS Centre of Excellence for Workforce Planning (the Centre) has started envisaging the longer term future for the APS workforce, to support the Future of Work Taskforce and the work of the Centre in readying the workforce for jobs and skills of the future.
Over July, the Centre conducted Work of the Future Hackathons in Canberra, Brisbane, and Melbourne. The hackathons brought together leaders, managers and HR staff who worked together to understand how our work, jobs, skills and teams might change in the longer term to 2035 and beyond. Participants from various Australian Government and state government agencies were able to contribute to these important discussions, enhancing diverse and innovative thinking on futures matters.
The Hackathons were possible through collaboration with:
- the Futures Hub, National Security College at the Australian National University;
- the Strategic Design Hub team at Services Australia who generously hosted the events and facilitated a creative thinking space for participants, and were the expert visual scribes on the day.
Overall, participants shared they were excited and optimistic about the work the APS would be doing into the future, our contribution to the Australian and global societies, and how we might upskill and organise our teams and organisations to be ready for this future work.
Participants walked away with ideas on how they can start driving the future vision right now.
One participant said:
I will be utilising ideas shared about skills and employees to help build on the capability of the graduates and career starters I engage. This will help build on the agency wide, longer term capability.
Whilst another shared:
Hearing echoes of positive future work ambitions is what I found most valuable.
Participants were very engaged in conversations about the longer term future, and really keen to take the energy and innovation from the day and translate into their strategic workforce initiatives in agencies.
The Centre will use ideas generated during the hackathons to support the work of the Secretaries Board Sub-Committee for the Future of Work, and the Centre’s advisory support to APS agencies.
To find out more about the APS Centre of Excellence for Workforce Planning and its offering, head to the APSC’s website or email the team at APSWFP@apsc.gov.au .