UNSW’s commitment to facilitating opportunities for lifelong learning has led to a partnership with the Australian Public Service Commission’s APS Academy. This partnership is for the development of postgraduate micro-credentials designed to build the capabilities of the Australian Government’s policymakers in developing future-focused, inclusive public policy.
The pilot phase of the program kicked off in May with two new courses: ‘Strategic Foresight Tools for Future-Ready Organisations’ and ‘Crafting Inclusive Policy for Gender Equality’. Now, both courses are open for all APS staff to enroll in.
“The APS is always looking to foster strong partnerships with academia. This terrific partnership between UNSW and the APSC is highly collaborative and works to ensure the APS has the capability needed to deliver high-quality outcomes for Government and the Australian people, through a continuous learning approach” – Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy Commissioner, Australian Public Service Commission.
Crafting public policy that’s fit for a range of futures
In an increasingly uncertain future, where climate change, an evolving economic landscape, and wars on many fronts challenge our ability to forecast what’s on the horizon, a policy that’s designed to fit a range of futures is critical.
‘Strategic Foresight Tools for Future-Ready Organisations’ is designed for those interested in policy development, strategy, and horizon-scanning on socio-economic, sociopolitical, foreign, and security policy issues—all areas where uncertainty tends to be higher.
Delivered by King's College London’s Professor Michael Sanders and UNSW’s Professor Deborah Blackman, this micro-credential will increase learners’ comfort when working with uncertainty and enable them to engage in policy planning and design that capitalise on opportunities and achieve the best outcomes for Australian communities and businesses.
“The fundamental business of governments is future-building – managing, shaping and adapting to change to improve the lives of Australians, including those of future generations. This requires a future-literate APS who is able to provide creative, informed advice about future possibilities: the risks we need to avoid and the opportunities we need to seize. To help the Government shape a positive future for Australia - and tackle both emerging and enduring policy challenges - we must embrace opportunities to build and refine our critical and strategic policy skills, such as strategic foresight.” – Will Hartigan, Senior Adviser, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Making gender visible in policy development and programming
Inclusive public policy that considers its impact on all genders is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s a social and economic imperative. Yet, there’s still work to be done.
‘Crafting Inclusive Policy for Gender Equality’, taught by UNSW’s leading experts in gender equality, focuses on making gender visible in public policy planning. This aims to challenge learners’ assumptions of gender neutrality and make gender visible in public policy processes and outcomes.
Learners will engage in gender analysis across a range of public policy fields and learn how to identify and address the different impacts of policies and programming on men, women, and people of other gender identities, to promote diversity and inclusion for everyone.
“This micro-credential equips policy drafters and decision-makers to consider the different impacts that government policies and programs may have on women, men and non-binary people. It is a key tool for improving decision-making by embedding a focus on gender equality in policy development. Participants of this micro-credential will be given the tools to strengthen APS policy capabilities and contribute to the Government’s commitment to addressing gender inequality” - Megan Leahy, First Assistant Secretary, Office for Women, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Flexible learning designed for real-life
Delivered through a combination of self-directed learning and online modules, interactive workshops and expert-led online sessions, these flexible courses are designed to fit around learners’ lives.
Each micro-credential aligns with the Australian Qualification Framework and the National Microcredential Framework and can be used towards further postgraduate qualifications at UNSW’s Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).
“These micro-credentials allow public servants to quickly develop their capabilities to suit their needs and professional goals while allowing for life-study balance. Both micro-credentials are stackable towards further postgraduate qualifications, and offer APS expertise and UNSW academic rigour” – Faye Liu, Assistant Commissioner, APS Craft & Learning, APSC
Ready to enrol?
Courses are now open for enrolment for relevant APS staff.