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The Victorian Public Service is made up of more than 55,000 dedicated and professional employees who work tirelessly in the public interest every day.
Part of our job as public servants is continuing to learn, develop and grow. We must always strive to improve and develop new ways to deliver better outcomes for our community.
Empowered people with the right capabilities will lift the overall performance of the public service, enabling us to best serve the government of the day and the people of Victoria, now and in the future.
Commitment to building capability
As stewards of the public service, secretaries have long championed public service professionalism by collectively investing in capability development.
Across the public service we embrace diversity, inclusive practices and collaboration to create supportive workplace cultures. That is why we are supporting critical diversity, inclusion and cultural capability initiatives, including the Barring Djinang First Peoples Workforce Development Framework.
We have also confirmed actions to strengthen service-wide integrity through the 2023 Integrity Statement, including mandatory training for executives in integrity and ethical decision-making.
In addition, we have agreed that all new and existing executives must complete a minimum amount of professional development training each year. This training must focus on one of four domains: working in government, leadership and management, integrity, and the public sector values. This requirement will commence in the 2025-26 professional development cycle.
These actions underscore the importance of having enduring, stable and trusted institutions that uphold Westminster principles and the public sector values. They also recognise the critical impact of senior leaders on culture and performance.
In 2024 we renewed and increased our commitment by investing in a four-year project that will focus on core public service capability development, led by the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC).
What’s on offer
Different roles require different skillsets, but at a minimum, all public servants need expertise in core public service craft capabilities.
We understand there are certain cohorts that may need additional support in their roles, such as new starters, managers and executives, so there will be tailored capability development for these groups.
VPSC’s core capability resources and training will complement and build on existing departmental offerings.
Core public service craft capabilitiesWorking in government – understanding our system of government and how to work effectively within it, including understanding the context and priorities, being responsive and agile, and providing timely, full and frank advice to the government of the day. Integrity – as the foundation of public trust, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism, both in what we do and how we do it. Leadership and management – inspiring a sense of purpose, pride and belonging, navigating change and complexity, driving for high performance, and championing wellbeing. Public sector values – our values underpin our interactions with the government, the community, our suppliers and each other. Designed for new starters, but open to all
For managers
For executives
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Start your development journey
Your departmental people and learning functions will provide further information on the opportunities available (commencing early 2025). We encourage you all to take up those that are right for you to build your capability, confidence and connections.
We trust you will apply this learning to the work you do every day to build a better public service for Victoria.
Signatures
Jeremi Moule
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet
Tim Ada
Secretary, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Jenny Atta PSM
Secretary, Department of Education
John Bradley PSM
Secretary, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Change
Jo de Morton
Secretary, Department of Government Services
Kate Houghton PSM
Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Chris Barrett
Secretary, Department of Treasury and Finance
Peta McCammon
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Brigid Monagle
Victorian Public Sector Commissioner
Professor Euan Wallace AM
Secretary, Department of Health
Jeroen Weimar
Secretary, Department of Transport and Planning
Public service craft capability development resources
The Working in government hub on the Innovation Network brings together essential information and training to help VPS staff understand and navigate the Victorian public sector. It includes information and guidance on:
- Getting started in government
- Getting our work done
- Building our capabilities
Events and training are available for all VPS staff, as well as targeted training for new starters, managers and executives through the Innovation Network.
If you don’t have an Innovation Network account, they are quick and easy to create. Just go to the Innovation Network and follow the prompts.
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