Public service internship programme starts

Twelve tertiary students will have the opportunity to gain work experience and explore future career prospects in the public service this summer through a new Public Service Internship Programme, State Services Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

“The objective of the summer holiday programme is to increase awareness amongst students of the public service as an attractive and rewarding career option, where there's a diverse range of jobs available.

“The Labour-led government is committed to delivering strong public services that are modern, practical and that meet the needs of New Zealanders. Attracting the brightest and the best students is an important part of this. Also, promoting public service careers to students will help us meet recruitment needs in the future,” Trevor Mallard said.

“The Internship Programme has proved popular, with many more applications than places. More than 130 applications were received and the short-listing process was very competitive.

“The successful applicants come from a range of backgrounds, with many in their penultimate year of study, some will be enrolling in honours or post-graduate courses in 2005. "

The Internship Programme is being run this year as a pilot and operates from now until February. It is coordinated by the State Services Commission and includes seven public service departments: Archives NZ, Inland Revenue Department, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Transport and the State Services Commission. The tertiary provider for the pilot is Vic Careers of Victoria University.

A central induction programme will be organised for the students at the State Services Commission, covering issues such as public service values and standards, central government structures and processes, and relevant legislation.

The Internship Programme is one of the initiatives to emerge from the Human Resources Framework, a new shared approach to human resources management for the public service, developed collaboratively by departments and the Public Service Association.

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