Training & Personal Development at Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

The grad program comes with a personal L&D budget on top of the general team training, I have so far used mine to complete the Healthy Country Planning short course. There is also a lot of opportunity for informal training, Recently I put my hand up to assist with Joint Fuel Managment Nominations for my district and got a crash course on burn planning. I have done similar things for field work in a range of areas, shadowed people for a day and can often make time to look through thr internal online learning catalogue to refresh or expand on my skills.

There is much opportunity for training on the job, formally in the classroom, shadowing executives (watching their normal work day and see what its like to 'be them' for a day), and talking to others.

The graduate program offers training opportunities, and we have a personal budget to spend on what we would like to learn. Through the program I have received training in facilitation, cultural awareness, career development, and others.

I have been able to undertake significant training and development since beginning at the start of the year, including: Writing Essentials Writing for Ministers and the Secretary Bushfire safety training Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training Contract management intro Contemporary Policy at Work Corporate Volunteering event Climate Science training event volunteering May Graduate Forum Mental Health and Wellbeing Mandatory Training Psychological First Aid EPN Networking forum Walk and yarn on Wadawurrung country There has also been significant on the job learning, allowing me to develop contract, stakeholder, and project management skills, as well as quickly learn significant amounts about government and working in it.

Lots of training opportunities - jump into writing, project management, Aboriginal Cultural Awareness, First Aid General Fire Fighting - HEAPS of opportunities, and that's not even touching your L&D budget.

There is a lot of diversity in available training within the department and, especially while in the grad program, a lot of support and funding to access that training. Informal training is also excellent, I have yet to be told no when I've asked if a colleague can teach me something. I have learnt meeting facilitation skills and writing for different audiences, grant application assessment and procurement skills. Field survey and Flora Id, land management, chainsaw, 4wd, brush cutter, chemical pest control. Fire behaviour and weather monitoring, burn ignition, radio communication, logistics support.

Our graduate learning & development budget is a fantastic program allowing us to self-direct learning and development. In the broader department, the formal learning and development modules are variable, but often quite poorly written or delivered. However, we are encouraged to undertake external training and do have options for study leave.

In my role, there hasn't been all that much training directly necessary as yet, so I can't really comment. From what I have heard, training is generally worthwhile when applicable.

I am very satisfied with the learning and development budget that is part of the Science and Planning Graduate program I am not satisfied with the initial training within my team/branch.

As a graduate I have lots of learning and development opportunities, but even as a regular employee there is a lot available.