Background
  Graduate Development Program (GDP)
  •
   ABS employs between 80 and 170 graduates each 
  year from over 2000 applications 
  •
   In 2012 there were 144 ABS graduates, the largest 
  single entry intake at any level
  •
   ABS has a great retention rate for graduates, 94% of 
  the 2011 cohort (154/164)
            Aims
  The aims of the Graduate Development Program are to:
  •
  transition graduates into the workforce (ABS & APS)
  •
  rapidly build professional capacity and workplace 
  capability
  •
  familiarise graduates with ABS structure and culture
  •
  enhance statistical capability 
  •
  articulate graduate roles and responsibilities
           GDP Curriculum
   The curriculum is mandatory and all graduates undertake:
   •
   a range of ABS induction material (face to face & welcome videos)
   •
   compulsory e-learning modules
   •
   core business programs
   Graduates also take on programs relevant to their area of employment  
   •
   professional specialist programs 
   Three workshops are held to focus on leadership and management 
   skills:
   •
   Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is used to explore
   a range of ‘soft skills’ in two workshops
   •
   Workshop 3 is career planning, image and goal setting
               Successful completion 
                              of the GDP
        •  Satisfactory completion of probation (3 reports over 6 months)
        •  Absence of performance management issues 
        •  Final review of Development & Performance Agreement (June)
        •  Completion of the mandatory GDP components 
           Advancement Process
        •  graduates are advanced to a higher pay and employment level 
           following successful completion of the program and a separate 
           performance review (October)
       GDP Evaluation & Outcomes
    Evaluation
    •
     90% of graduates found the program a useful and important 
    introduction to the ABS
    •
     Feedback on the quality and relevance of the curriculum training 
    programs was very high (most around 80% – 90%)
    •
     94% reported that supervisors contributed to their development
    Outcomes
    •
     over 90% of graduands understand the business, the role of the 
    ABS and its strategic goals
    •
     over 80% reported a good fit with the ABS and 70% that 
    •
     the ABS was the right employer for them
    •
     94% retention rate in 2011 (95% in 2010, 87% in 2009)