Graduate Recruitment & Development Scheme
DIIRD offers graduate placements through the Victorian Public Service Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme (GRADS). GRADS is a whole of Victorian Government scheme coordinated by the State Services Authority (SSA) that recruits high quality graduates from a range of academic fields and provides them with opportunity for future leadership, policy and specialist careers within the VPS.
The twelve-month program offers participants three four-month rotations within different government departments. Graduates complete a home rotation and then rotate through two other departments before returning to an ongoing position at their original department.
Graduates undertake an extensive learning & development program throughout the year which provides them with a strong foundation for a successful career in the public service. They participate in a Learning Team Project where they team up with other graduates in their department to develop a project of their choice, related to their department, with a budget and allocated working hours.
Graduates can participate through a number of specialist streams including generalist, accounting and finance, economics and engineering.
How DIIRD gets graduates through GRADS
Graduates can apply online on the Victorian Government Graduate website and, if selected, will attend an assessment centre. All departments, including DIIRD, are then provided with information on the applicants and can request interviews with graduates whose skills and experience will be an appropriate match for the rotations they offer. Departments conduct interviews themselves and make offers based on interview results.
What DIIRD can offer VPS Graduates
As the Victorian Government's lead economic and regional development agency, DIIRD can offer graduates stimulating project and policy rotations in a variety of areas, including skills, economic policy and planning, industry and trade, multimedia, tourism and regional development.
Previous GRADS placements in DIIRD have included:
Industry and Trade
- researching the Chinese fashion market for an outbound trade mission
- attending Government supported fashion and retail industry events;
- collaborating with the City of Melbourne to produce an annual report on Melbourne retail and planning the report’s launch event
Industrial Relations
- Focusing on the private sector arena, including policy development,
- industry awards research
- industry survey development
- providing advice to industry and government
Corporate Governance
- Providing advice to internal clients on procurement processes
- contributing to the development of a departmental Governance Framework
- reviewing internal departmental policies
Multimedia Victoria
- Evaluating and providing advice on emerging Information Communications Technology trends
- developing an internet training program for people with disabilities
- reviewing Government Information Technology programs
Innovation & Technology
- Working with divisions across the Department as well as industry and trade groups to facilitate the national and international competitiveness of firms in the defence sector