Applications for the 2010 IAGDP have now closed. Candidates who have submitted an application can expect to be notified of their success in progressing to the second stage of the assessment process by the end of February 2010. Thank you for your interest in the program.
Overview
The IAGDP is an integrated employment and development program, delivered over a twelve month period. In addition to ongoing (permanent) employment, during the course of the program you will be provided with professional and personal development opportunities to enhance your capability to undertake a career in Contract Management, Project Management or Community Capacity.
The program consists of three main components:
- A Diploma of Government – core subjects plus electives from those outlined above
- Twelve months practical work experience incorporating on-the-job-training, and
- Defined complementary structured learning and development opportunities.
In order to successfully graduate from the program, you will be required to complete each of these three components and remain in an approved full-time work placement for the entire twelve months. Whilst you may be employed by partnering agencies prior to the commencement of the program, this will not count towards this twelve month period.
Following graduation from the program, you will be advanced (increased in classification) from an APS 3 level to an APS 4 level. You will then continue to work in your Home Agency generally within the field you have studied during the program.
Diploma of Government
The Diploma of Government is a nationally accredited qualification listed by the National Training Information Service (NTIS) within the Public Sector Training Package. It is delivered through a combination of a self paced online learning program and face-to-face training events.
The Diploma comprises eleven Modules, each of which has a formal assessment element, usually in the form of a written assignment or practical activity, designed to determine whether you possess the required level of knowledge about each learning outcome. You will be expected to undertake these assessment elements in conjunction with relevant practical work experience.
The grading of your Module assessments is undertaken by the contracted Registered Training Organisation (RTO) authorised to deliver the Diploma of Government. In accordance with competency based training methodologies, you will be assessed as being either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’.
The qualification is particularly suited to people working in an environment where there is a range of responsibilities which are diverse in nature rather than within a narrow specialisation and/or they work in small or regionally based organisations. The Diploma is based on competency standards in the NTIS framework and incorporates the specified competencies for the electives on offer.
Contract Management
Contract Management or contract administration is the management of contracts made with customers, vendors, partners, or employees. Contract Management includes negotiating the terms and conditions in contracts and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions, as well as documenting and agreeing any changes that may arise during its implementation or execution. It can be summarised as the process of systematically and efficiently managing contract creation, execution, and analysis for the purpose of maximising financial and operational performance and minimising risk.
Project Management
Project Management is the discipline of planning, organising, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives. It is often closely related to and sometimes combined with Program Management.
Community Capacity
Community Capacity refers to the competencies required by Government employees working with communities to establish and maintain ongoing relationships. It also describes the knowledge and skills required to design and implement effective community activities, to foster community engagement and to build community problem solving capacity.
At the completion of the program, you will receive a qualification that is not only portable, but also recognised within the Australian Qualification Framework, and valid for articulation against other vocational and tertiary qualifications.
Practical Work Experience Incorporating On-The-Job-Training
In addition to the grading of your formal Diploma assessments by the RTO, a report on your workplace performance against each learning outcome will be undertaken in consultation with your supervisor. This is to ensure that you are able to demonstrate the practical application of the Diploma material within your required field of study.
To facilitate this, supervisors will be familiar with both the content and schedule of Diploma Modules, and assign you workplace activities which coincide with your studies. The provision of practical work experience and on-the-job-training is a vital component of the overall program and will be verified through consultation with supervisors and workplace assessments.
Structured Learning and Development Opportunities
Throughout the program you will also be required to attend a number of additional learning events designed to complement the Diploma qualification. The nature and schedule of these events will be provided by the IAGDP Coordinator at the commencement of the program.
Partnering Agencies may also have specific training and/or development requirements which you will be required to complete. This might include orientation or induction sessions designed to familiarise new employees with their physical environments and expected workplace behaviours.
It is important for you to note that attendance at face-to-face training events may involve travel away from home for short periods.