The Australian Public Service Commissioner, Peter Woolcott, has released an Australian Public Service (APS) Digital Professional Stream Strategy to enhance the digital expertise of the APS workforce.
“The Digital Professional Stream Strategy is a structured way to drive a cohesive and engaged digital profession through building digital expertise and delivering for the government and the community,” Mr Woolcott said.
He said the Government’s Digital Transformation Strategy highlighted the impact of the digital age on how the APS worked, with one of its strategic priorities to create a Government that was fit and adaptive.
He said this included equipping the APS with the skills needed to deliver world-leading services and engage with current and future challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored, in the sharpest way possible, the need for the APS to be more joined up and agile with digital technology if we are to effectively meet community expectations,” Mr Woolcott said.
He said the digital strategy was a component of the formal professions model recommended in the Thodey review of the Public Service.
The professions model is a priority for the Australian Public Service Commission, with the aim of lifting in-house skills and expertise, providing rewarding public service careers and delivering for all Australians, he said.
He said the digital strategy followed the human resources professional stream, which he announced last year.
The digital strategy takes into account international experiences.
Mr Woolcott said the strategy had has also been informed by extensive research and partnerships forged with industry, government, the community and academia.
He also announced that Randall Brugeaud, currently Chief Executive of the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), has been appointed Digital Head of Profession in which he is to champion the digital professional stream and collaboration across agencies.
He said the DTA had developed a reputation for removing barriers to collaboration and reform in the APS and this was being accelerated as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They have already made remarkable progress on the digital front,” Mr Woolcott said.
More information about the Digital Professional Stream Strategy can be accessed on the APSC website at this PS News link.
