Career Prospects at Policy Futures Graduate Program (Queensland Government)

Too early to say, however I believe I am well prepared to move up from a grad role thanks to my time at my first placement. There does seem to be some unspoken rules around waiting x (usually 2) years between promotions.

The graduate program allows for several rotations and an opportunity to take up higher-level activities in later rotations. Many graduates are hired throughout the rotations, allowing for internal promotion.

The opportunity to advance is very exciting and the way that secondments can also be an option offers some variety to how I can try out different work settings

Graduates are regularly offered higher duty roles during their first year in departments they work in.

I am quite scared about my career progression as I have seen first-hand how hard it can be to get a permanent position in government in the department you want. However I have been told it is quite easy for graduates to get job offers in departments they have had experience working in.

There is an enormous range if opportunities and it is dependent on what I would like to do within which area that will lead me to decide

Application and good work ethic.

There are a lot of opportunities throughout the sector to move around and take on short term roles to build your skills and experience.

There are endless opportunities to progress in the state or federal government. I feel very confident that after leaving the program I will be able to secure and move up the ranks.

Graduate program provides excellent foundation and prepares you well for taking on higher duties or applying for higher positions

Not really sure I can answer this question, I have not really been exposed to this during my time in the agency - it seems that the job positions are quite fixed though so if you wanted to move to a higher rank you may need to move team or agency as there is not always the ability to move up within the team you are currently in.

I have interviewed for a couple of positions already that are senior roles. Unsurprisingly I did not receive them, however after the interview process and being told that the successful applicant/s were chosen based off their amount of experience but I was still a great applicant has emboldened me.

Several former grads got jobs in the teams I was placed into, so it seems like lots of opportunities for career progression.

Unknown at this stage - grad program helps with finding permanent position in the second year.

The Policy Futures program has a strong reputation across the government, so you are in a good position to move into higher roles after the program. It is common for Policy Futures graduates to be working as senior Policy officers (AO5-AO6) within a year or two of the program. Ultimately how well you do depends on what team you try to move into and how you perform individually. The grad program puts you on the best footing to excel.

I'm not far enough into the program to have considered applying for higher opportunities, but there are supports available to do so. In the second year of the program, you are able to take a higher duties role while your position in the program is held for you. The last phase of training (including resume building and interview skills) is also designed to support your transition to higher roles. Throughout the program you may undertake work that is at a higher level than your current position due to the nature of your teams, preparing you for future roles. Though the program is 2 years, the formal training is complete by the end of the first year and you are encouraged to apply for higher roles after the end of year one, meaning that you have guaranteed work whilst looking for a higher position.

Although I haven't got a chance to be promoted, I have been reassured with my supervisors and their willingness to have me in the future based on my work performance. I have noticed, people are internally hired and moves up the ladder if they are keen to take higher roles.

The program has a great reputation within the Queensland Government, enabling Graduates to find promotion opportunities relatively easily during or after leaving the program.

I am unable to comment at this stage as I am only 4 months into the program. But I have definitely been given opportunity to learn how to write for government and develop skills that I can bring into my next rotation.

Too early to say, however I believe I am well prepared to move up from a grad role thanks to my time at my first placement. There does seem to be some unspoken rules around waiting x (usually 2) years between promotions.