Check out the latest public sector networking and education events. Photo: Supplied.
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 and NT
Email: [email protected]
This is your unmissable opportunity to hear first-hand from ground-breaking leaders who are making significant contributions to Australian organisations and society. This series shines a spotlight on the excellence and strengths of First Nations leaders, reflecting on themes of healing, resilience, reconciliation, and Closing the Gap,
Hear from speakers including Stan Grant, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Nova Peris, Professor Marcia Langton and June Oscar.
The First Nations Leadership Summit Series is where current and emerging First Nations leaders will come together to share their stories, learnings and advice with peers and others on the path to leadership.
National Public Sector Governance Forum 2024
Date: 15 November, 2024
Time: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Location: U City, 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide, SA
Email: [email protected]
Navigating change: Building resilience in a dynamic world and doing more with less. The role of the public sector in ensuring the continuing efficiency of administration and service delivery, at a time of great disruption and transformation, has never been more critical. The task for resilience is balanced with the need to remain agile and transformative in a changing world.
The 2024 Public Sector Governance Forum brings together public sector leaders from across federal and state agencies to discuss the most urgent challenges. Our speakers will share their insights, expertise and thinking on the strategies to build efficiency, trust, accountability and good governance.
Join the Governance Institute of Australia as we exchange insights, reflect on how to chart a resilient course forward, and learn to thrive amit change. Discover the economic shifts impacting the public sector task. Hear from sector leaders on how to tackle public sector challenges, uphold integrity, harness technological and AI transformation, and embed good governance and culture.
Our panel of speakers will look at:
- Economic and global issues and the implications for Australia and the region
- Attributes and challenges for a resilient public sector
- Guardrail institutions and the responsibility for sustaining public trust
- Promoting and safeguarding Australians’ information access and privacy rights
- Delivering governments’ priorities – opportunities and challenges for the public sector
- A sustainable Australia through the lens of local government
- Preventing corruption – culture, education and engagement
- Local government sustainability – key metrics for core services
- Developing a governance capability for your organisation
- Skills Matrix and behaviours for public sector boards.
How Deliberative is Australian Democracy?
Date: 19 November, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Location: Juliet Room, Verity Lane, Sydney Building, 50 Northbourne Avenue,
Canberra, ACT
Get tickets: Booking link
Australian politics is becoming increasingly toxic. The ability to hold constructive discussions or to respectfully disagree on key political debates seems out of reach. While a huge surge in appetite for more public deliberation is sweeping other democracies, Australian political institutions seem averse to innovations that would enlarge and deepen our democratic conversations.
Deliberative democracy is an approach under which decisions are the outcome of deliberation by citizens, or reasonable discussion and debate. A panel of experts, including Selen Ercan (University of Canberra), Adele Webb (University of Canberra) and Andrea Carson (La Trobe) will unpack the reasons behind the state of deliberation in Australia, and invite the audience to reflect on new ways of living together based on justice and mutual respect.
The discussion will be moderated by Ariadne Vromen (Australian National University). The panel discussion will start at 7 pm, followed by an audience Q&A. This event is hosted by University of Canberra’s Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance for Research Festival 2024.
Advanced Writing Skills for Government Workshop
Date: 19 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Are you looking to improve your writing skills? The ability to write effectively is arguably the most important aspect of a role in the public sector. Australian public servants must consistently sharpen their communication skills to tackle the intricate challenges ingrained in their roles.
The Advanced Writing Skills for Government Workshop will focus on strategic writing of specific government documentation and will help you develop the skills to write high-level reports that attract minimal editing.
Overview
Develop the skills to write government documents that attract minimal editing.
- Take a strategic and analytical approach with your writing
- Improve your editing and proofreading skills
- Fact check and use credible sources
- Understand the difference between misinformation v disinformation.
Trainer Adrian Cropley is a certified strategic communication management professional and past global chair of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). He is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost experts in strategic communication.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Adrian has worked with clients all over the world on major change communication initiatives, internal communication reviews and strategies, professional development programs, and executive leadership and coaching. He is currently board advisor for IABC in Victoria, is on the RMIT University advisory board for the PR degree and was named a fellow of the IABC in 2020.
NSW Public Sector Grades 9-10 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Date: 19 – 20 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Check out our NSW Public Sector Grades 9-10 Critical Thinking & Problem Solving and master this highly valued skill set that will become a key differentiator among high-performing leaders of the future. Learn how to make decisions effectively, problem-solve with confidence, and drive productivity and progress.
Overview
Practical outcome-driven models for critical thinking and problem solving.
- Unpack critical thinking as a mental process and set of action steps to address everyday problems
- Use a structured systems thinking approach to analysing problems and designing solutions
- Leverage the skills of creative and lateral thinking in complex problem solving
- Overcome common roadblocks to enhance decision making.
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.
Policy Officers Workshops
Date: 19 November, 2024 – 13 March, 2025
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Multiple locations: Townsville | 19 – 20 November
Melbourne | 19 – 20 February
Sydney | 18 – 19 February
Brisbane | 4 – 5 March
Canberra | 12 – 13 March
Email: [email protected]
Join our two-day Policy Officers Workshops across Australia and take a hands-on approach to tackling complex policy problems. Delivered by expert leadership facilitators with years of experience, our Policy Officers Workshops are designed to equip you with practical insights tailored to navigate the current policy landscape effectively.
Overview
Essential skills for policy writing and development – a practical guide for effective governance.
- Determine the core structure and sequencing of policy documentation
- Learn the tools to effectively communicate all stages of the policy process cross-functionally
- Gain a deep understanding of policy development, analysis models, and real-world challenges
- Create and implement proactive, robust policy development plans with effective monitoring and evaluation.
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.
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]
Here 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 more than 20 years’ experience as a management consultant and global learning leader. She 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. Kathryn brings deep expertise in adult learning, facilitation, leading change and leading with impact.
Psychological Safety Toolkit for Managers & Leaders
Date: 20 November, 2024
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Our Psychological Safety Toolkit for Managers & Leaders workshop is filling up fast – don’t miss your chance to secure a place!
Psychological safety enhances team performance, fosters innovation and boosts employee engagement, benefitting both leaders and organisations.
Overview
Prioritising wellbeing – A practical guide for managers and leaders on navigating psychosocial risks.
- Define a leader’s role in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment
- Identify psychosocial hazards, red flags and warning signs within your teams and organisation
- Discover the direct correlation between professional success and mental health
- Learn practical strategies and tools to build a high-performance workplace by prioritising your team’s wellbeing.
Trainer Kevin St Mart is a workplace mental health expert with more than 23 years of experience in work health and safety. He is a consultant for the Opus Centre for Psychosocial Risk and holds qualifications in business, injury management, and training and assessment. Kevin previously served as a workplace engagement manager at Beyond Blue and led mental health programs at Comcare. He has extensive experience delivering training, presentations, and projects, and has contributed to initiatives such as the People at Work risk assessment tool and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.
APS 5-6 Women in Leadership
Date: 26 – 27 November, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza, 1 Binara Street, Canberra, ACT
Email: [email protected]
This is an immersive and comprehensive program designed to harness your strengths and grow as a leader. Find your strengths and continue your leadership journey with confidence. Intimate, engaging, and hands-on, this unique learning experience will cultivate your professional and personal development to optimise your performance and accelerate your growth as an APS 5-6 leader.
Specifically designed for women in APS 5 & 6-level roles, this highly engaging masterclass will give you key tools to thrive as a leader, work effectively in your role and equip you to tackle your professional and personal life with passion and resilience.
This program has been thoughtfully designed to optimise your learning experience around your work week and to develop a greater understanding and capability to thrive in your role. You will be refreshed, inspired, and confident in your leadership and the path ahead.
The facilitator is Claire Harrison, an executive coach and meditation teacher who is also a former tech and media industry business leader. She holds senior leadership roles with realestate.com.au, Mamamia Women’s Network, Women’s Agenda, Business Chicks, Getty Images, and News Corp.
Claire has a Diploma in Positive Psychology, and her areas of expertise include resilient leadership, emotional intelligence, mindfulness-based stress reduction and executive coaching with a focus on leadership and business. She has worked with more than 2000 leaders in the public and private sectors and has in excess of 15 years of experience leading high-performing teams and developing workplace culture.
EL2 – SES Leadership, Capability & Professional Excellence Masterclass
Date: 26 – 27 November, 2024
Time: All day
Location: Canberra, ACT
Email: [email protected]
Learn how to lead at the top of your game, with tips from the top of the public sector. The highest ranks of the public sector demand more from your leadership. You have more responsibility, more difficult and complex problems to solve, and you will need to have a keen sense of the distinctions between your own ideas and the demands of the role.
No-one understands these demands, and the skills that are needed to meet them, more than Rebecca Skinner PSM. Having led at the highest levels of the APS, including the extra-large agency Services Australia during its most challenging times, she knows exactly what it takes from you, your mindset and your skill set to steer the public sector in the right direction.
With an emphasis on capability, accountability and integrity, and a valuable blend of ideas, advice and practical tips, this is a learning and development opportunity that cannot be missed. Join Rebecca for two full days of learning and interactive activities to gain the perspective you need to lead at the top.
Rebecca has a deep background in Defence and national security. She served as the Associate Secretary Defence and as the Deputy Secretary for Strategic Policy and Intelligence.
A long-term member of the Defence Committee, she has led Defence strategic policy, capability and technology investment, ministerial engagement and driven transformed governance, human resource management and integrated service delivery. Rebecca led Services Australia through the social security and health demands of the pandemic in the post-Robodebt era, setting the organisation on its customer-centric cultural renewal.
She is a resilient people-focused leader experienced in operating under intense pressure through international and domestic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and defence operations. Rebecca was awarded a PSM in 2021 for outstanding public service in the areas of national security policy, intelligence, business transformation and service delivery.
