Develop your career, broaden your network, meet new people across the service and connect with EL1 and APS 5-6 women working in data and digital.
2024-25 Program Registrations: If you missed the original deadline, no trouble, aim to register before the program kick-off event on 4 December 2024 - we'd love to have you along. However, the kick-off will be recorded, so last-minute registrations are open until content delivery commences on 5 February 2025, via APSLearn, here
APSLearn is available to public servants employed by an Australian Government agency and those with approved access. To register you will need to have an official government email account. If you are a State, Territory or local government employee interested in participating, please apply here (and select 'State and Territory Government Employees or Other' from the tenancy option drop down list) or contact DiversityLeadership@apsc.gov.au for further information and access.
A program information session was held recently. Watch the video to meet the delivery team and see how this program could be beneficial for you or your staff (note, the commencement date and program application timeframe has been extended).
The online Coaching for Women in Data and Digital program focuses on group coaching to help you develop leadership skills in data and digital related roles within the public sector.
Currently, women only make up approximately 30 percent of professionals in IT related fields. We want this group to grow, by providing support and development to help women transition into more senior data and digital roles in the Australian Public Service (APS).
The program will help you to:
- Reflect on your strengths, values, self-limiting beliefs, leadership, and career
- Connect with coaches and peers across government to share experiences and build your network
- Grow by dedicating time to your development and taking it forward by applying your learnings in a supported context.
The program is 100% online, so you can take part no matter where you are or what life demands you have. There is flexibility around session times and dates during the program. So, if your schedule changes, we can accommodate your needs and help keep you on track.
Eligibility for application
Applications are open to:
- EL1 and high performing APS5-6 women and non-binary people working, or interested, in data or digital related roles
- past participants of this program
- APS employees across Australia
- State and local governments and government educational institutions.
Data and digital roles aren’t limited to ‘traditional’ or technical disciplines. Your data and digital role can include (but is not limited to):
- managing a data or digital team
- digital roles in user research, content design and service design
- data roles in non-traditional areas such as HR.
You don’t need to have technical knowledge to apply, this program focuses on leadership development rather than technical training. You are welcome to contact us to discuss your eligibility.
Program format
The Coaching for Women in Data and Digital Program involves:
- 7x2-hour online group coaching sessions, where you connect with your small group, learn and practice leadership development skills, and share your experiences in a safe space
- 2 online events, which includes a program kick-off and a program celebration
- access to an exclusive community group which hosts a range of resources, session content, articles, videos and more.
The community and resources will help you apply your learnings from the program, sustain behaviour change and actively take techniques back to your agency.
You also have the option to engage in:
- regular ‘hot topic’ sessions with industry leaders sharing their guidance and experiences on relevant topics
- additional coaching drop-in sessions to further explore and discuss topics covered in smaller groups.
This program has been designed to support flexible working arrangements and meet your accessibility needs. The program is delivered via MS Teams and the average monthly time commitment is 3 hours.
Program structure
This program is centred on strengths-based development and progresses through three main areas of focus.
Looking inwards
- Session 1: Discovering your strengths (including strengths assessment)
- Session 2: Applying your strengths
- Session 3: What gets in the way
Looking outwards
- Session 4: Your leadership style
- Session 5: Leading others
Looking forward
- Session 6: Personal brand
- Session 7: Career navigation
Program dates
The 2024 C4WID program runs from December through to September (TBC) the following year. Breaks occur over December, January and in April.
Cost of the program
The cost of the program is $7,900 per person (note: fees for this program are GST - exempt, and no GST will be charged). Your agency pays the cost of the program.
Talk to your delegate or manager and get their approval before you apply for the program.
Program benefits for you
- 10-month online course with dedicated group coaching.
- Opportunity to self-determine your experience based on personal objectives or goals (informed by Delegate or Manager - agency input where possible).
- Access to an exclusive APS wide community group, with resources, thought leadership, and more to help make behaviour change stick.
- Connection with cohort of peers across whole of government.
- 12- month ongoing alumni network for peer support and collaboration.
- Human-centred and flexible experience.
Program benefits for your agency
- A targeted self-driven program, with active reinforcement and application of learning in day-to-day roles across more than 22 months.
- Attraction and retention of high performing women in data and digital-related roles.
- Enhanced support network for your people through the whole of government connection and ongoing alumni network.
- Differentiated development and a bespoke program for each participant.
- More purposeful career direction and development for participants.
The program has transformed the way I approach my career. It has changed the way I problem solve, increased my confidence and opened new doors. Would highly recommend it to others.
This course has opened my eyes to things that I "thought" were there. I have been more confident to make some hard career decisions. I have never looked back!
This is a fantastic course... It is really helping me set myself up for success in many areas of my life.
This program forces me (in a positive way) to focus on my developmental growth - something that I would not normally prioritise due to the busy nature of my work.
Find out more about Coaching for Women in Data and Digital Program
See Coaching for Women in Data and Digital Program past participant blog posts at Coaching for Women in Data and Digital Program - Provides insights, networking and time for personal and professional development!, Coaching for Women in Data and Digital Program - It’s where the gold is!, Coaching for Women in Digital Program - It is life changing! | Digital Profession, and Coaching for Women in Digital Program - Develop your career and connect with EL1 women in data and digital | Digital Profession
If you have any questions or want to nominate one or more of your staff for the program please email: DiversityLeadership@apsc.gov.au.
An initiative of the Digital Profession
The Coaching for Women in Data and Digital program (C4WID) is part of the Digital Profession’s group of initiatives, delivered in collaboration with the APS Academy, to lift the data and digital capability of the APS. The Data and Digital Professions aim to improve the expertise of individuals and organisations to build a digital ready and data-driven workforce.
The Data and Digital Professions recognise the importance of developing leaders in the digital and data fields. This will help foster a culture of innovation and change needed for digital transformation in government. By making sure we have diversity in our leadership, we will help deliver better and more inclusive government services to Australians.
We invite you to join the Digital Profession membership – help create a government fit for the digital future. Find out more and register for the Digital Profession.