Showing a graduate how to do the job

Graduate Program

The components of the NSW Public Works Graduate Program are:
1. Orientation and induction
2. Professional development
3. On the job training

1. Orientation and induction

The orientation and induction component of the Program incorporates four major activities:

  • Initial on the job induction
  • Graduate Program orientation
  • NSW Public Works orientation
  • Corporate orientation morning.

1.1. Initial on the job induction

Graduates will spend a period in their sponsoring business unit with their nominated Business & Resource Manager and supervisor to develop an understanding of the business unit, the local business structure, clients and services and how it fits into DFS as a whole; business unit protocols, security and IT.

1.2. Graduate Program orientation

This is a one day orientation outlining the graduate program; management and graduate expectations; where you meet senior management, your peer graduates and graduate program coordinators and the Young Professionals Network.

1.3. NSW Public Works induction

Graduates will attend the first available NSW Public Works induction to gain an understanding of the businesses that make up NSW Public Works, its structure, people, clients etc. and the functions of the Project Support Centre.

1.4. Corporate orientation day

Graduates will attend the first available Corporate Orientation Day.

The aims of the formal orientation are to:

  • Learn about DFS and its corporate vision, objectives and range of services and products and their basic conditions of employment
  • Give graduates an opportunity to meet other new staff and key staff
  • Obtain knowledge of key government and DFS policies eg. Code of Conduct, Equity and Diversity
  • Obtain knowledge of DFS support systems and tools which will be used to support the Program eg. Mentoring Program and the Performance Development and Review System.

2. Professional development

2.1 Technical development

As the Graduate Program contributes to meeting future workforce needs it is essential that graduates be developed over the two-year period. It is compulsory for graduates to attend workshops that are relevant to the business needs of the unit and their own personal, technical development, for example, safety management. These workshops will be organised through your Business & Resource Manager with approval from your supervisor.

2.2 Core skills training

Over the two-year program, it is mandatory for graduates to attend the core skills training, including:

  • Working in Government
  • Workplace Interpersonal Communication
  • Business Development with Clients
  • Negotiation and Influencing Skills
  • Report Writing
  • Presentation Skills in a Commercial Environment
  • Tenders and Tender Writing
  • Other courses which will be optional will be offered, for example public speaking, time management and project management.

3. On-the-job training

It is the responsibility of supervisors and managers to use available resources to train and develop their graduates. On-the-job training is one of the best training methods because it is planned, organised, and conducted within the graduate's business unit.

The methods of on the job training are:

  • Demonstration/instruction - showing the graduate how to do the job
  • Coaching - a more intensive method of training that involves a close working relationship between manager and graduate
  • Rotations - Graduates may be rotated into other areas if they are keen to do so and it suits the business needs of their area
  • Projects - Graduates join a project team which gives them exposure to other parts of the business unit and allows them to take part in new activities. 
  • ""