Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service, launched the first Australian Public Service (APS) Academy Campus at the University of Newcastle today. The launch welcomes the first group of entry-level data and Digital participants and demonstrates the APS’s commitment to reaching talent outside Canberra.

Senator Gallagher joined Australian Public Service Commissioner, Dr Gordon de Brouwer, University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO, and the Heads of the APS Data and Digital Professions, Dr David Gruen and Chris Fechner for a tour of the University’s Callaghan Campus.

The group met with program participants and was an opportunity to acknowledge the innovative partnership between the University and the APS to deliver the first APS Academy Campus. The campus at the University of Newcastle has welcomed 22 students as part of the initial intake, which will grow to 35 participants by 2024.

“We are delighted to be celebrating the launch of this campus and welcoming our new colleagues to the APS. These talented individuals will be supported by the APS Data and Digital Professions to build meaningful and rewarding APS careers as they shape a better data and digital future”, Dr de Brouwer said.

The Newcastle campus at the university is the first of three APS Academy Campuses under the Australian Government’s pilot policy initiative to address data and digital skills shortages in the APS. The initiative offers Australians looking for a career change and students in the Hunter region the opportunity to join the APS.

University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO acknowledged the important partnership between the University and the APS that will provide meaningful experience and career opportunities for students.

“We are pleased to collaborate with the APS on such an innovative partnership bringing together the government and tertiary sectors. By combining and focusing our efforts we amplify the benefits for the University and its students, and the broader Newcastle community. For our students it provides them with hands-on practical skills that will mean they are more employable and have the opportunity to build connections within their chosen field”, said Professor Zelinksy.

Chris Fechner, CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency and Head of the Digital Profession, noted how the APS Academy Campuses would support the pipeline of data and digital talent into the APS.

“This builds on the suite of existing data and digital programs in place across the APS and supported by the APS Data and Digital Professions. Working together, our Professions are supporting the APS to address the existing skills shortages facing the Australian Government and community and investing in the future of the APS.”