Students paid for government work at new James Cook University academy
A new public service academy at JCU helps students into paid public sector work while they study. See why those involved are singing its praises.
Townsville
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A new public service academy in Townsville should keep coveted graduates in North Queensland, proponents say.
The academy started running at JCU in Townsville this year but was ‘officially’ opened on Friday.
Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman said: “If we can make it work here, then we will know this is a fantastic model to expand across the country. Simple as that”.
Data and information technology students do two to three days of paid work a week at a government department. There are two academies, the other being in Newcastle.
There was a huge digital and data skills-gap in the general population and in the public service, Mr Gorman said.
The government aimed to bring more of the work which contractors and consultants did into the public service, he said.
The 13 students at JCU in the first intake are working with Defence and Intellectual Property Australia among others.
Mr Gorman said a practical example of the benefits of the course was accessing super or taxes online would be faster with more new data and IT graduates in the public service.
“The tangible return is really simple. It’s about filling those skills gaps we have in the Australian public service,” Mr Gorman said.
Asked if students were under contractual obligations to go into employment with their government agencies after graduating, Mr Gorman said “We don’t see it in those terms. We see it as an investment in the people of Australia and investment in public servants”. The Assistant Minister also referred questions about contractual obligations and the cost of the academy to the Public Service Commission.
A commission spokesperson said students are offered full time employment with their departments after graduation.
The JCU academy has been allocated $4.1 million for 2023 and 2024.
The academy program requires a departmental supervisor for each student.
Townsville-based departments met with the Assistant Minister this week and were interested in the program, Mr Gorman said.
Daniel McMahon, 19, and Connor Whiteside, 22, are thoroughly enjoying their time in the academy.
Both are studying Bachelors in Advanced Science, majoring in maths and data science.
Mr McMahon and Mr Whiteside are also working for Defence while the study, doing data management and looking for efficiencies within the department, for example with how issues are logged and addressed.
“When I applied I did not really consider Defence as an option, but it’s secure and it can take me a lot of places,” Mr McMahon said.
JCU vice chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said the upside for the university was proving meaningful work-integrated learning.
“It’s a great opportunity four our students to earn while they learn. Who wouldn’t want that,” he asked.
“We live in one of Australia’s most remote communities up here in the North … having people trained here, working here who can contribute into the understanding of the federal government about regional Australia I think will be vital,” Mr Biggs said.
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Originally published as Students paid for government work at new James Cook University academy
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