By Erin Quigley, APS Academy
The launch of the APS Academy’s APS Unlocked on the 21 June 2023 provided the stage for a live learning induction event and phase three of the new Academy Induction Pathway. The Pathway and APS Unlocked enhances a new starter’s induction experience that aligns with the APS Continuous Learning Model and APS Learning and Development Strategy.
Guest practitioner Alex Lewis, Director, Digital Strategy and Planning at the Department of Veterans Affairs joined the session to provide participants with tacit knowledge essential to thriving in the APS.
From his wealth of experience, Alex shared the following tips to maximise early success in an APS career.
- Know the authorising environment in which you work – knowing the, ‘who, what, where and why’ provides you with authority to act.
- Have evidence to support the decision you’re making or advice you’re providing to maintain integrity.
- Keep good records – this goes hand in hand with having evidence, with both supporting you in your decisions.
- Find the knowledgeable people in your team, branch, division and wider agency – observe and ask questions! You are not expected to be an expert in everything but there are plenty of people out there who are.
- Get involved in your local site – become a fire warden, join your social club and participate in any internal community groups to begin expanding and contributing to professional networks.
Join with wider APS professional networks such as Communities of Practice or working groups - connect with the wider APS because having connections outside your organisation is just as important. Start by looking to connect with those who are in similar fields as you, but in another area of the Commonwealth network.
