Nikki Roche is a facilitator and coach who will present an interactive course at the Women in Defence & National Security Leadership Masterclass at Rydges Canberra from 22 – 23 July. Photo: Supplied.
WFP Boost – Organisational Design and Job Design
Date: 21 – 22 July
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Duration: Two 3.5-hour face-to-screen sessions
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
The Workforce Planning Boost Program – external site is a collection of modules that target the development of technical workforce planning skills. These units have been co-designed by the APS Centre of Excellence for Workforce Planning, with workforce planning experts and academics from across Australia.
This program is designed for mid-career workforce planners, and those who have completed the Workforce Planning Start-Up Program, to further build their workforce planning toolkit. While each module is completed individually, they all form a wider program to build workforce planning skills.
This module explores effective modern organisational design and contemporary job design in the context of workforce planning. Participants will also explore the impacts of smarter and different ways of working due to external changes and ongoing disruptions.
This content has been provided by the Australian Public Service Commission, and is suitable APS 5 – SES Band 1 participants who have completed the Workforce Planning Start Up Program and/or those with at least two years’ relevant experience in workforce planning, organisational design or job design.
Leadership Strategies Series 2025: In-person
When: 22 – 23 July
Where: East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Cost: Ticket prices vary; find out more at Kim Vella Leadership
As a leader in the public service, do any of these points resonate with you?
- I feel overwhelmed all the time, like I’m spinning plates that could drop at any moment.
- I’m always under pressure with competing priorities, limited resources, and an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
- I’m worried the hard work I put in isn’t recognised.
- I walk into meetings feeling anxious about what to say.
- I don’t usually think about my wellbeing. I just want to make it through another week.
- I feel like I’m never enough, and don’t know what could change that.
If any of those struck a chord with you, rest assured, you’re not alone. The skills every public sector leader needs to thrive in today’s environment are next level – yet they’re rarely taught. Instead, we rely on outdated leadership models that leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and helpless.
Join respected executive leadership coach Dr Kim Vella, with the support of esteemed industry professionals, for a new leadership skills pathway: The Leadership Strategies Series. This workshop series gives you access to 32-plus hours of in-person collaborative learning, including:
- Cutting-edge leadership strategies.
- Coaching from PS experts and industry professionals.
- Advanced psychometric tools.
- Personalised assessments.
- Individualised feedback.
- Tailored action plans.
The Leadership Strategies Series is delivered in two stages: Essentials level and Enhanced level. Each level comprises two full-day workshops, with a six-week break in between to apply your new skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to join a facilitated peer mentoring session during this time to discuss challenges and insights.
Become the APS leader you can be – confident, balanced, insightful and authentic – by levelling up your leadership skills with the Leadership Strategies Series.
Women in Defence & National Security Leadership Masterclass
Date: 22 – 23 July
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Ngunnawal Country | Rydges Canberra
Email: [email protected]
This interactive course will upskill you in key areas so you can take the next step in your defence and national security leadership journey with confidence. Specifically designed for women in defence and national security organisations, this unique learning experience is built around the key skills you need to thrive as a leader and take the crucial next steps in your career. Take charge of your leadership career.
The Hatchery has partnered with seasoned defence leadership coach, keynote speaker, author and psychologist Dr Bec Jackson to bring you this carefully considered, action-packed and engaging masterclass.
Join us to learn the knack of breaking barriers and leading in male-dominated fields, build your communication, networking and emotional intelligence skills, and lead a high-performing team with trust and confidence. You will walk away refreshed, empowered, inspired and confident in your leadership and the path ahead.
Facilitator Nikki Roche is the director of Blue Zenith Leadership and Coaching Solutions and has been an associate with Melbourne Business School since 2015. Nikki possesses core expertise in executive leadership development as a facilitator and coach, which is informed by her own broad leadership background working within the Australian Defence Force (Navy), defence industry and the higher education sector.
As a facilitator and coach, Nikki has worked with senior leaders and teams in the Australian Public Service, global and smaller emerging organisations, as well as several not-for-profit organisations.
MasterCraft Series – From Data to Decisions: Intelligence 101 – Demystifying intelligence
Date: 24 July
Time: 1 pm – 2 pm
Duration: One one-hour face-to-screen session
Location: Virtual
Email: https://apslearn.apsacademy.gov.au/user_login
Explore intelligence foundations: what it is, its role in national security, and how it reduces uncertainty through a cycle of production, processing and analysis. This session introduces the foundations of intelligence – what it is, why it matters, and how it supports Australia’s national security and decision-making.
We’ll begin by defining intelligence as more than just information – it’s a product, process, activity and contextualised data that is processed, evaluated and analysed to reduce uncertainty. We’ll examine who produces intelligence and why, the range of customers, how intelligence is produced and processed, the range of activities, intelligence pathways, challenges, and the intelligence cycle.
A representative from the Office of National Intelligence will present this session. This event is suitable for all staff.
NSW Public Sector Grades 11-12 Strategic Thinking & Advanced Problem Solving
Date: 29 – 30 July
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Cliftons Sydney
Level 13, 60 Margaret Street, Sydney
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Develop strategic thinking and advanced problem-solving abilities required of Grades 11-12-banded officers. The course covers:
- Practical, outcome-driven strategic thinking and problem-solving models.
- A structured systems thinking approach to analyse problems and formulate strategy.
- Stakeholder engagement principles to work collaboratively on organisational issues.
- Your role as a leader empowers others to solve problems.
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.
Leadership Strategies Series 2025: Online
When: 29 – 30 July; 9 – 10 September
Where: Online (via Teams)
Cost: Ticket prices vary; find out more at Kim Vella Leadership
As a leader in the public service, do any of these resonate with you?
- I feel overwhelmed all the time, like I’m spinning plates that could drop at any moment.
- I’m always under pressure with competing priorities, limited resources, and an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.
- I’m worried the hard work I put in isn’t recognised.
- I walk into meetings feeling anxious about what to say.
- I don’t usually think about my wellbeing. I just want to make it through another week.
- I feel like I’m never enough, and don’t know what could change that.
If any of those struck a chord with you, rest assured, you’re not alone. The skills every public sector leader needs to thrive in today’s environment are next level – yet they’re rarely taught. Instead, we rely on outdated leadership models that leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and helpless.
Join respected executive leadership coach Dr Kim Vella, with the support of esteemed industry professionals, for a new leadership skills pathway: The Leadership Strategies Series.
First Nations Women in Leadership Masterclass Series
Date: 29 July – 15 August
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Location: In-person
Brisbane, 31 July – 1 August
Cairns, 12 – 13 August
Darwin, 14 – 15 August
Email: [email protected]
Connect with your culture, values and strengths to grow and thrive as a leader. Realise and nurture your natural leadership. First Nations women hold vital roles as carers, teachers, healers and leaders in their workplaces, families and communities, so it is crucial that there are strong, capable and centred women in these roles.
The Hatchery has partnered with Ngemba woman and audience favourite leader, speaker and facilitator Lil Gordon to deliver a series of immersive and culturally informed masterclasses to ensure that First Nations women have the opportunity to reflect, connect and grow into the best versions of themselves and allow their work, life and community to truly thrive.
Using Lil’s framework of ”the five Rs” – Respect, Reflection, Responsibility, Relationships and Reciprocity – you will find your driving purpose, reflect on your values, grow your confidence and cultivate your networks to build your story as a deadly First Nations woman in leadership.
Find your centre, chart your goals, lead people authentically and step into your power at this unmissable learning opportunity. Join Lil to learn how to create the world that you want to live in, one that will continue to grow and thrive for generations to come.
Lil is also a seasoned executive leader and consultant. Aboriginal education and training has been her main field along with effective and balanced leadership in building capability with Aboriginal people as well as enhancing understanding and capacity with non-Aboriginal people to recognise their potential in the ‘’bigger picture’’.
“My passion is working alongside our communities in empowering Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to create their own destiny, to provide those opportunities to give us the best chance to be the very best we can with whatever we choose to do,” she says.
Executive Assistant Upskilling & High-Performance Virtual Seminar Series
Date: 29 July – 12 August
Time: Noon – 2 pm
Location: Online
Email: [email protected]
In an increasingly busy and complex world, the role of the assistant is more important than ever. Build effectiveness, confidence and influence to truly own your role. Grow as a successful executive assistant and business partner.
Calm, clarity and focus are essential for modern executives to perform in their roles. Therefore, it is vital that you have the skills and capabilities as an assistant to support them and help your organisation function at a high level.
Join facilitator and podcast host Liz Van Vliet in this refreshed seminar series to elevate executive assistants to a new strategic and tactical excellence level. This series is designed to educate you in the skills needed to be the glue in your executive’s network and to empower you with AI tools that optimise your effectiveness (even if your particular organisation is dragging its feet).
Through these sessions, you’ll strengthen your capacity to collaborate with stakeholders, and adapt to varied contexts. You’ll become the vital, empowering link within your executive’s network, combining mastery, adaptive communication, and technology-driven efficiency. As you enhance your capabilities, you’ll establish yourself as the indispensable support at the centre of your executive’s success.
Negotiation and Influence Skills Workshop
Date: 31 July
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Geelong
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Negotiate with strategy, vision and confidence.
- Recognise the importance of negotiation skills in the workplace and in everyday life.
- Discover your personal negotiation style and strategies to resolve conflict during a negotiation.
- Investigate how non-verbal communication, persuasion, influence and culture can impact a negotiation.
- Use a principled approach to respond to critical moments in negotiation simulations.
Speaker Fiona Maggs delivers programs in strategy, problem-solving, sales, negotiations and leadership while also offering executive coaching, from emerging leaders to the C-suite. She is a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience spanning more than 17 years at Coca-Cola Amatil, senior roles including sales director at Unilever, and managing director at Lumaten Shopper Research Consultancy.
QLD Women in Leadership Workshop
Date: 31 July – 1 August
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Brisbane
Email: [email protected]
Overview
Enhance your effectiveness as a leader in an evolving professional landscape.
- Develop your individual leadership style.
- Build confidence to lead authentically and effectively.
- Learn the art of confident communication.
- Strengthen your ability to influence.
Trainer Deborah Bispham is a seasoned expert in change management, with more than 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She specialises in guiding organisations and individuals through successful transformations, utilising her skills in neuro-linguistic programming, LEAN, and Agile methodologies.
Her innovative strategies and leadership development initiatives ensure change is effectively implemented and sustained. With a deep understanding of change dynamics, Deborah inspires individuals at all levels to embrace change, resulting in smooth transitions and high-performing teams.
