Check out the latest public sector networking and education events. Photo: Supplied.
TEDxCanberra 2024: Illuminate
Date: 1 November, 2024
Time: 11:30 am – 5:30 pm
Location: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
Tickets available online
Prepare to step into the light with TEDxCanberra 2024, where our theme, ILLUMINATE, takes centre stage. In a world increasingly defined by complexity and change, this event will shine a beacon of clarity, knowledge and inspiration.
TEDxCanberra 2024: ILLUMINATE is designed to cast light on the issues that matter most. Our speakers will illuminate the path forward by unravelling the intricacies of diverse topics – from global challenges to local innovations, offering insights that will challenge your thinking and inspire action.
This event is for changemakers, visionaries and curious minds who understand that in a world filled with uncertainty, light is our greatest tool for transformation. TEDxCanberra 2024 will illuminate not just the ideas worth spreading, but the ideas worth acting upon – those that have the power to create tangible, positive impacts in our world.
Our speakers will make you laugh, cry and – most importantly – feel inspired. They are:
- Dr Mark Crossweller
- Dr Chloe Lim
- Liz Little
- Dr Kate Luckins
- Mitch Porteous
- Sita Sargeant
- Stela Solar
- Karlie Noon.
The event will also feature some of Canberra’s best emerging artistic talent. Performers are:
- Neeman Piano Duo
- Sam Sly.
The MC is disability and LGBTIQ+ advocate Wayne Herbert.
Persuasive Public Sector Writing Masterclass
Date: 1 November – 5 December, 2024
Time: All day
Multiple locations: Brisbane, Qld; Melbourne, VIC; Canberra, ACT; Adelaide, SA
Email: [email protected]
Good-quality public sector writing should be professional, persuasive, and polished. Public sector writing can be challenging and time-consuming. All writing should also be clear, concise, and correct. You have to contend with different audiences, rigid deadlines, and complex topics.
While the basic skills of good writing are critical, you need more to meet the demands of more involved government communication. You need to be able to present every case confidently and well, regardless of who you are writing to or what you are writing about. You must be able to use words, structure, flow, and more to deliver compelling arguments and convincing information that people will want to read. It is about using writing to communicate complex issues clearly and with influence.
Facilitator Bev Sullivan has decades of experience in running written communication workshops for public servants at all levels and from all tiers of government. Her specialty is helping people to use (and tweak) their existing skills and experience to make writing less of a chore and deliver better results.
With an extensive background in government, education and communication, she is familiar with the challenges involved in producing excellent public sector writing. Bev has been an English teacher, a trainer, manager and director in the public service, as well as a consultant, presenter and editor. Most days, if she isn’t training, coaching or editing for one government agency, she’s writing something for another.
By the end of this masterclass you will know how to:
- Plan before you write and clarify what you are aiming for when you are writing
- Write for different audiences and use active voice – to help both you and your reader
- Recognise good writing and avoid common problems
- Be clearer and more concise and use templates to save time and effort
- Use structure to make it easier for your readers to understand your argument
- Write persuasively and improve the flow of your writing.
Coaching and Developing Others
Date: 4 – 18 November, 2024
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Duration: Three three-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course is designed to improve the way APS employees coach and manage others so they can deliver improved outcomes, ultimately resulting in higher APS productivity.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy. The training is suitable for EL 1 – EL 2.
Producing a Quality Cabinet Submission
Date: 6 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Duration: One eight-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
You will obtain the most current information and insights into the Cabinet system, delivered in an engaging and educational way. You will become familiar with Cabinet principles and conventions, key steps and timeframes, template requirements, and who to consult. With lots of practical activities, you will develop your drafting skills and gain tips for how to write for a Cabinet audience. You will also benefit from meeting and engaging with other APS staff on these topics.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy in partnership with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The training is suitable for APS 5 – SES 3.
The Professional Executive Assistant
Date: 6 November, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Executive assistants are an essential part of the APS workforce. As the face of the executive team and the first point of contact for internal and external clients, executive assistants provide a critical support role for senior management and are fundamental to ensuring that the wheels of government run smoothly. Ensuring that the EA/SES partnership is efficient and effective improves overall productivity of the work unit.
This program will provide you with a solid understanding of the APS environment, knowledge of how to maximise your organisational and interpersonal skills, and help to hone your technical skills. You will be provided with a suite of additional tools to achieve your full professional potential.
Through an interactive format, you will learn about the business context of the APS as well as develop skills and share high-value work practices required to effectively provide professional executive assistance. A range of approaches will be used, including personal self-awareness tools, presentations from an experienced senior executive assistant, group work activities and presentations.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy. The training is suitable for APS 3 – APS 6.
Essential Writing for APS 1-4 Levels
Date: 6 – 7 November, 2024
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Duration: Two three-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Australian Capital Territory
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course is designed for APS employees who produce routine correspondence, such as emails and letters. While nominally aimed at APS levels 1–4, the program is suitable for all APS employees who need to develop their ability to logically sequence information, use appropriate correspondence styles and improve the readability of their writing.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy. The training is in a virtual environment suitable for APS 1 – APS 4.
Leadership & Management for Policy Professionals
Date: 6 – 7 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
How will you inspire trust, build collaboration, and navigate complex changes? Leading a team in the policy space comes with unique challenges. Our Leadership & Management for Policy Professionals workshop focuses on developing your skills to manage and motivate your team effectively.
You’ll learn:
- Techniques for managing diverse teams
- Strategies to build trust and collaboration
- Tools to prepare your team for inevitable challenges
- To equip yourself to empower your team and drive meaningful outcomes.
Trainer Alexandra O’Mara is a seasoned leader in sustainability, policy, and strategy. As a former Deputy Secretary in the NSW government, she led transformative shifts in environment, infrastructure, and renewable energy. With a master’s in administrative law and policy from the University of Sydney, Alex combines practical expertise with academic insight.
She currently drives change as the director and founder of Sustainable Solutions Advisory, a member of the UNSW Science Advisory Council, and a non-executive director at St George Community Housing.
Masterclass: Managing Inappropriate Workplace Behaviour
Date: 7 November, 2024
Time: 10 am – noon
Location: Holding Redlich
Level 65/25 Martin Pl, Sydney, NSW
Email: [email protected]
Are you responsible for human resource regulatory compliance, legal matters, policy decisions, or communication strategies? Are you a leader in government tasked with navigating complex crises?
Join the Institute of Public Administration Australia NSW for a Managing Inappropriate Workplace Behaviour Masterclass brought to you by Holding Redlich.
This masterclass will provide attendees with a clear definition of what is bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation and particularly how to manage complaints in the context of recruitment, performance management and performance reviews from a legal perspective.
Engage in in-depth discussions that mimic government scenarios. Enhance your ability to manage workplace behaviour. Learn effective strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with inappropriate workplace behaviour situations.
Attendees will hear the cautionary tale of the potential claims and statutory risks that could result from mismanagement of these complaints, including unfair dismissal and victimisation claims, discrimination claims and regulatory intervention.
The masterclass will provide attendees with ‘’tips and traps’’ to assist them to navigate these matters in their substantive roles. The session will be interactive, with groups considering and providing feedback on detailed realistic case scenarios.
Procurement Basics
Date: 7 November, 2024
Time: 10 am – noon
Duration: Two-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Procurement Basics aims to provide APS employees with an introduction to Commonwealth procurement – external site. Awareness and understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework is essential to ensure compliance when APS employees are required to commit and expend Commonwealth funds through procurement.
This course has been designed to build the procurement and contracting capabilities of employees as the Commonwealth seeks to deliver more strategic value-for-money outcomes when undertaking the purchase of goods and services. This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance. The training is suitable for APS 1 – EL 2.
Contract Management Basics
Date: 7 November, 2024
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Duration: Two-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Contract Management Basics aims to provide APS employees with the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for the management of a Commonwealth contract. Awareness and understanding of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework is essential to ensure compliance when APS employees must undertake contract management. This course has been designed to ensure the application of the principles, processes, and best practices that form the foundation for success.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance. The training is suitable for APS 1 – EL 2.
Working Effectively at the EL 1 Level
Date: 11 – 12 November, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Duration: Two three-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Executive-level positions bring new and demanding leadership and management challenges. This program describes the broad role requirements of EL 1s through the APS Work Level Standards (WLS) and deepens your understanding of the capabilities and behaviours identified in the APS Integrated Leadership System (ILS) critical to high performance at EL 1.
Learn how to confidently and appropriately respond to the challenge of higher expectations and more complex responsibilities. This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy. The training is in a virtual environment suitable for APS 6 – EL 1.
Building and Leading High-Performing Teams
Date: 12 November, 2024
Time: 10 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One 6.5-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course helps managers create and maintain high-performing teams where work is aligned with government priorities. Learn how to analyse and describe high-performing teams, identify the enablers and barriers, and explain the management practices required. Examine team strengths and areas for improvement and plan pathways to build a high-performance culture in the workplace.
Benefit from meeting and sharing thoughts, experiences and ideas about building and leading high-performing teams with other managers. This content has been provided by the APS Academy. The training is in a virtual environment suitable for APS 6 – EL 2.
Understanding Government
Date: 13 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Duration: One eight-hour face-to-face session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course provides an understanding of the system of government and its operations as fundamental to working effectively in the APS. To successfully support ministers, parliamentary secretaries and the whole of government, all APS staff need to have an understanding of the role of the APS and the processes that underpin the Australian system of government and correspondingly, their roles and responsibilities within this system.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy. The training is suitable for APS 1 – APS 6.
First Nations Leadership & Allyship Summit 2024
Date: 13 – 14 November, 2024
Time: All day
Location: Hybrid Summit series, in-person and online
Multiple locations: ACT, NSW, Victoria, NT
Email: [email protected]
Shining a spotlight on the excellence and strengths of First Nations leaders, reflecting on themes of healing, resilience, reconciliation, and Closing the Gap, this is your unmissable opportunity to hear first-hand from ground-breaking leaders who are making significant contributions to Australian organisations and society.
Hear from inspiring speakers including Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Nova Peris, Professor Marcia Langton, June Oscar and Stan Grant.
The First Nations Leadership Summit Series is where current and emerging First Nations leaders come together to share their stories, learnings and advice with peers and others on the path to leadership.
This event will be held concurrently across four states – ACT, NSW, Victoria and NT – where attendees will hear from high-calibre speakers, including five VIP keynotes.
EL1-2 Women in Leadership Masterclass
Date: 19 – 20 November, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza
1 Binara Street, Canberra, ACT
Email: [email protected]
This is an immersive program designed to strengthen and guide your public sector career. Specifically designed for EL 1-2 officers and management, this highly interactive masterclass will equip you with the tools and strategies to lead with greater impact and confidently take on more senior and complex roles in the public sector.
Learn how to overcome the common internal and external barriers to success faced by women in the workplace, enhance and refine your current leadership skills, and develop new capabilities to take the next step in your career. Set a career plan, seize progression opportunities, and learn how to purposefully lead yourself, your team and your organisation into the workplace of the future.
This interactive course is cognisant of the APS Work Level Standards (WLS) for EL1-EL2 and is designed to reflect and align with the expectations of these roles. It will support and enhance the capabilities and behaviours required of EL1-EL2 roles as per the APS Integrated Leadership System (ILS) essential for high performance.
Facilitator Kathryn Thomas has a career of more than 20 years as a management consultant and global learning leader. Kathryn specialises in unlocking performance for people and their organisations. She has previously worked as an HR senior consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and held global and Asia-Pacific leadership roles with IBM Global Business Services. She brings deep expertise in adult learning, facilitation, leading change and leading with impact.
Kathryn now is a director in her own business focusing on people and performance within government and the private sector. She is an accredited executive coach who has a passion for supporting women in leadership to thrive.
