This plan outlines four key action areas that will support agencies to build and strengthen their data, digital and cyber workforce and enhance future skills planning now and into the future.
The four action areas within this plan provide an integrated and coordinated approach to address shared challenges across the APS using the benefit of scale. The plan acknowledges that agencies vary in size and resourcing, and aims to ensure mutual benefits across the APS workforce by:
- providing adequate support from the core agencies
- connecting agencies to share learning and collaborate on implementation.
Each action area builds on important work underway across the system, which includes APS Reform, Delivering for Tomorrow: APS Workforce Strategy 2025, the Commonwealth Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2020-2024, the APS Gender Equality Strategy 2021-2026, the APS Academy, and the Data and Digital Professions.
The action areas include key enablers or levers outside of the initiatives in this plan, which support agency-level recruitment, development and deployment of their data, digital and cyber workforce. Enablers present an opportunity for agencies to implement low-cost initiatives by leveraging in-flight work.
Implementation horizons
Three implementation horizons ensure the appropriate sequencing of initiatives, from strengthening foundations to embracing future-focused initiatives that address systemic issues. In some cases, Horizon 3 initiatives may require longer lead time, policy or legislative change, or additional investment.
| Horizon 1 | Horizon 2 | Horizon 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Years 2 to 3 | Years 4 to 5 |
| initiatives that strengthen foundations and enable longer term success. | initiatives that will have the most significant impact on advancing outcomes. | future-focused initiatives that look to address systemic issues. |