Explore, learn and launch your future in cyber security at the Canberra Cyber Career Symposium at the Canberra Rex Hotel on 19 March. Photo: Supplied.
Leadership Skills for Scientists Workshop
Date: 11 – 12 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Enhance your effectiveness as a scientific leader in complex and changing environments by:
- Developing and refining essential leadership skills;
- Communicating with clarity and impact;
- Learning strategies to work effectively with different personality types;
- Building process improvement and change management capability.
Trainer Dr Karen Whittingham is one of Australia’s leading executive management development specialists, having worked with thousands of executives to transition them into senior leadership roles quickly and effectively.
She is an organisational psychologist passionate about people’s success and facilitating their careers to rise. She teaches organisational psychology at UNSW and works with ASX-listed companies and large public sector organisations to drive engagement, inclusion and performance.
NSW Public Sector Grade 9-10: The High-Performance & Leadership Workshop
Date: 11 – 12 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Sydney
Email: [email protected]
NSW Public Sector Grade 9-10 roles are pivotal in shaping the success of projects, teams and policy implementation. The High-Performance & Leadership Workshop ensures you develop the skills you need to influence outcomes, lead with impact, and position yourself as a future leader in the NSW public sector.
Gain practical insights from two exceptional facilitators. Secure your spot today and invest in your leadership journey.
Overview
Develop and refine core skills and key leadership capability to achieve success and excel by:
- Identifying and developing your capabilities as a confident and successful public sector leader;
- Building productive relationships and leading proficient, capable teams;
- Driving strategic change to improve procedures and meet agency goals;
- Sound career planning and knowledge of pathways in NSW Public Service roles.
There are two trainers: Maree Walk and Amy Mouafi.
Maree is a highly sought-after leadership specialist with more than 30 years’ experience working with executives from government and non-government organisations. She has previously held significant roles as the Deputy Secretary for Programs and Service Design in the NSW Department of Family and Community Services and chief executive of community services. She is currently the CEO of ACWA, a board director of City West Housing and the Parenting Research Centre, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Amy is a natural leader with a strong background in driving multiple departments and teams, delivering major complex projects and initiatives within state government, including the NSW Police Force and the not-for-profit sector. She continues to deliver in the public service as well as through her own consultancy. Amy has a demonstrated track record in effective strategic oversight as well as sustainable change and operational effectiveness, offering an insightful, professional and outcome-focused approach while enhancing performance and delivery.
Amy’s experience includes specialising in violent crimes victimology and offender psychology, emergency management policy and operations as well as intervention, prevention, mitigation and resilience initiatives that demonstrate strategy to operations, policy to programs and outputs to outcomes.
First Nations Women in Leadership Workshop
Date: 12 – 13 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Key strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to achieve personal, professional and community success by:
- Understanding and aligning your cultural and corporate responsibilities;
- Infusing cultural values into your corporate role;
- Enhancing self-awareness and leading with resilience;
- Handling setbacks constructively.
Trainer Mel Brown, a Ngunnawal woman now living in the Northern Rivers Bundjalung Nation, holds a master’s degree in Indigenous Healing and Trauma. With a decade of experience in child protection, including managing the Aboriginal Child Protection Unit in the ACT, she has deep expertise in the field.
Currently, Mel serves as the director of Spirit Dreaming Pty Ltd. As an experienced Aboriginal cultural trainer and lateral violence expert, she designs and delivers workshops for government agencies, non-government organisations, and corporate businesses.
Influence, Negotiation and Persuasion for Executive Levels
Date: 13 March
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Duration: One seven-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course examines aspects of influence and persuasion and the negotiation skills essential for managing and leading at the executive level. Aspects of leadership and influence and the psychology of persuasion are explored.
Work through areas where influence benefits work: for example, communicating with influence, influencing strategy, negotiation styles and how to apply them.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy, and is suitable for EL 1 – EL 2.
Achieving value for money
Date: 13 March
Time: 9:30 am – noon
Duration: 2.5-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course builds on APS officials’ knowledge of the Commonwealth Procurement Framework and Procurement Lifecycle by focusing on the core rule of the CPRs – to achieve value for money in procurement.
The content supports APS officials to effectively achieve value for money in relevant phases in the procurement lifecycle and demonstrate value for money across the life of a contract or arrangement. This includes thinking strategically about the approach and broader policies when making value-for-money recommendations to delegates.
This learning experience has been provided by the Department of Finance, and is appropriate for all staff. It suits officials who are new to procurement, need a refresher, or who want to move to a role in procurement. It benefits officials working in procurement on an ad hoc basis, regular procurers and delegates.
Appearing Before Parliamentary Committees
Date: 13 March
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Duration: One four-hour face-to-face session
Location: Australian Capital Territory – MoAD (Old Parliament House)
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Do you need to appear before a parliamentary committee in your current role? Do you provide support to someone who does this? Learn about the committee system and the role you have to provide honest and accurate testimony.
Appearing Before Parliamentary Committees takes an in-depth look at parliamentary committees that scrutinise decisions and the information flow between the APS, the parliament and the public. This program will help you to prepare effectively and communicate information clearly. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a simulation of the committee process to crystalise your knowledge.
This content has been provided by a third party in consultation with the APS Academy, and is suitable for EL 2 – SES 3.
Report Writing in the APS
Date: 13 – 14 March
Time: 9:30 am – 1 pm
Duration: Two 3.5-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
This course covers the processes for writing reports that adhere to the Commonwealth writing style. Learn to produce documents that have scope, effective research, are organised and interpret information well. Follow the established structures of good executive summaries, clear findings and easy-to-understand conclusions and recommendations.
This content has been provided by the APS Academy, and is suitable for APS 5 – EL 1.
Higher Education Women in Leadership Summit 2025
Date: 17 – 21 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Giving you the expertise, relationships and resources to lead with impact by:
- Developing the skills to navigate change and disruption confidently;
- Staying ahead with insights into the latest trends shaping the future of education;
- Unlocking the potential of talented women while building a powerful network;
- Driving impactful change within your organisation.
Speakers include:
- Vice-president, operations, University of Sydney, Nicole Gower;
- Senior deputy vice-chancellor, Flinders University, Professor Romy Lawson;
- Deputy vice-chancellor, research, James Cook University, Jenny Seddon;
- Deputy vice-chancellor, student experience & senior vice-president, Monash University, Dr Sarah McDonald;
- Deputy vice-chancellor, academic, Australian National University, Professor Grady Venville.
Australian Cyber Conference 2025
Date: 17 – 19 March
Location: National Convention Centre, Canberra
Cost: Student $450, early bird $799-$1349, member $899 and non-member $1549
Tickets: Available at Cyber Conference
In an era when digital frontiers are continuously expanding and evolving, the Australian Cyber Conference 2025 embraces the pivotal theme: Transform to Evolve. This theme underscores the imperative for cyber security practices to adapt and innovate in response to the rapidly changing digital landscape.
The Canberra conference brings together some of the greatest minds in cyber and will provide business leaders with insights and best practices taught by the industry’s top experts through keynotes, thought leadership, panel sessions and live, in-person demonstrations.
Featured speakers are:
- Dr Jordan Nguyen, Psykinetic;
- Professor Sue Black, Durham University;
- Chris Riddell, GREYMITT;
- Paula Januszkiewicz, CQURE and CQURE Academy.
QLD Public Sector AO6 to AO7: Management Essentials Workshop
Date: 18 – 20 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
This workshop is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and equip yourself with essential management skills for the evolving landscape of the Queensland Public Service.
Overview
Gain essential management skills to strengthen the connections between strategy and results by:
- Addressing changing expectations facing management in the Queensland public sector;
- Strengthening your resilience through emotional intelligence (EI);
- Managing KPIs, setting expectations and monitoring outcomes;
- Developing a focused, yet flexible, strategy to guide your development.
Trainer Martin Brooker, a distinguished veteran with 37 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, boasts a career marked by command at sea and operational excellence in the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Pacific.
Retiring in 2015 as a commodore, he transitioned to become the founder and director of the Quench Group. Specialising in personal and organisational change, Martin draws from his rich leadership experiences and culture change initiatives.
Recognised with awards such as the Conspicuous Service Cross and a Commendation for Distinguished Service, he shares authentic insights on leadership challenges
Canberra Cyber Career Symposium
Date: 19 March
Time: Noon – 4:30 pm (combined time of both afternoon sessions)
Location: Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Avenue
Tickets: Bookings are essential
Join us on 19 March at the Canberra Rex Hotel for the Cyber Career Symposium, hosted by the Canberra Cyber Hub.
This event is tailored for tertiary students, graduates and individuals considering a career transition into the cyber security sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore diverse career pathways, engage with industry leaders and government agencies, and participate in hands-on workshops designed to kickstart their journey in cyber security.
Don’t miss this chance to launch your future in Canberra’s dynamic cyber landscape.
Persuasive Writing Masterclass Adelaide
Date: 19 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: 65 Hindley Street, Adelaide, SA
Email: [email protected]
Improve your writing in government for impact and influence. All writing should be clear, concise, and correct. Good-quality public sector writing should also be professional, persuasive, and polished. Public sector writing can be challenging and time-consuming. 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. This masterclass will help you to make the most of your existing skills and practise new ones. It will also offer tips and techniques to make your writing easier, faster and more effective.
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.
Navigating Return-to-Office Working
Date: 19 – 20 March
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
Overview
A leader’s guide to manage resistance, maintain engagement, and drive culture by:
- Creating a positive workplace culture and prioritising team wellbeing;
- Leading constructive conversations that remove barriers;
- Exploring how working in the office enhances collaboration;
- Developing ongoing strategies for sustainable team integration.
Trainer Amy Stewart is a highly sought-after leadership coach and trainer, and one of Australia’s leading emotional intelligence (EI) specialists. She has more than 20 years of expertise across learning, leadership and organisational development.
Known for her dynamic facilitation and presentation skills, Amy can connect and motivate groups of all sizes, technical capabilities and levels of leadership, across many sectors and industries, including adult education, the public sector and financial services.
Amy has built her career working with some of the best – IAG, ANZ, Contiki, Avis, Australian Institute of Management, Dress for Success and many more.
