Union delegates are putting out the welcome mat for up to 1,800 new starters who are joining the Australian Public Service this month as part of the Graduate Program.
The new starters have been assigned to specific departments and will rotate to other roles within their year of work under the program.
Most have taken up positions in Canberra with many moving interstate away from family the friends to do so.
CPSU delegates have been sharing their experiences and knowledge about the APS with their new colleagues.
“It can be challenging moving cities and starting a new job,” said lead organiser David Hermolin.
“CPSU members are here to help people settle in. Being a graduate is a great opportunity and developing professional networks can give you a head start.”
CPSU members can join the Grad Link graduates network which offers information, events and networking opportunities with other graduates from various APS agencies.
Nick Dixon-Wilmshurst, 29, has enjoyed being involved in the recent inductions for graduates. Dixon-Wilmshurst works in the Department of Infrastructure and Transport and is a CPSU delegate representing graduates in that department.
“It was quite a change moving from Sydney to Canberra after six years of juggling university studies and a casual, irregular night job to begin a job with the regular hours of the public service,” he said.
“My advice to new graduates would be to get involved. If there’s something you want to do at work, don’t sit back and wait for it to happen, make it happen. Get involved in your workplace and in your union.”
Posted by:Anne Clarke - 10 Feb 2012, 8:55am This is an excellent initiative. My daughter was a grad in recent years and together with some of her grad colleagues, found the help and advice of the CPSU extremely valuable. Well done CPSU! I recommend to any grad who is interested to join the CPSU as this is the only group who works independently to protect your individual and collective interests.
This is an excellent initiative. My daughter was a grad in recent years and together with some of her grad colleagues, found the help and advice of the CPSU extremely valuable. Well done CPSU! I recommend to any grad who is interested to join the CPSU as this is the only group who works independently to protect your individual and collective interests.