Making a difference...

our cadet and graduate programs

The Department of Treasury and Finance began investing in the training of young people as long ago as 1958. In that year Michael Vertigan joined the Department of Treasury direct from school and was the first person to be given time off to study part-time for a degree. Thirty years later he became the first person to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance.

Treasury now offers two entrance programs that combine work with tertiary study: a six-year program for cadets and a three-year program for finance graduates. What do those who have participated in the entrance programs think about their experiences? Four people share their views.

Sarah Woods: I was fortunate to be offered a position on the Finance Graduate Program in 2007. I have been astounded at the array of professional activities and issues that I have been involved in during the last 12 months. How many people can say that they have assisted in preparing important publications such as the State Budget and the Treasurer's Annual Financial Report, or have been involved in investment decisions for the State or been in a Budget lock-up? The activities I have participated in - which include briefing sessions, preparing legislation and attending Parliament - have highlighted for me how much more there is to accounting than number crunching.

I found that the people I work with at Treasury are very supportive and that there is genuine interest across the agency in the professional development of graduates. I had access to mentoring, as well as help from others doing similar studies. Treasury also organises a broad range of high-quality training programs for their staff and this provided for my ongoing learning needs. I recently completed my studies through the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and have now been promoted. I'm looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of my new role in the Government Finance and Accounting Branch. And, contrary to what some people might think, Treasury is a fun place to work.

Steven Rust: When I applied for a Treasury cadetship in July of 2005, I was working a couple of days a week for a small consulting firm while studying science and economics at the University of Tasmania. For me, a significant attraction of the program was being able to combine work with study so that by the time I finish my degree, I will have a broad range of experience that should stand me in good stead when applying for jobs. During the last three years I've had many opportunities to be involved with challenging and interesting work, and have been able to see the real-life application of the theories and principles I've learned at university.

Megan Stokoe: I applied for a cadetship in 2000 during my first year at university. I thought that it offered a fantastic opportunity to get some hands-on experience in areas relevant to my degree. Treasury provided me with a lot of support and it was good to have so many people around who were also studying or had just finished a degree. I think that allowing time off for study is an amazing investment for any employer to make. The fact that so many people who have finished the program have achieved success elsewhere shows that the training is highly regarded. I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2007 with majors in Accounting and Public Policy. I'm now working as a Senior Executive Officer with the Procurement and Property Branch and am involved in reviewing procurement policies and providing support to the parliament square project.

Rebecca Ferrall: I found out about the cadetship program through a newspaper advertisement midway through 2007. I was still at school but was eligible to apply because I planned to start a degree in Business in 2008. I also had an interview for a cadetship with an accounting firm but was pleasantly surprised to find that the position at Treasury was better paid and had more flexible work arrangements. I was drawn to the program because it was a great opportunity to work for the State Government and get experience in the different areas of Treasury, which I hoped would give me an insight into what I would like to do in future. The program takes six years to complete part-time, compared to studying full-time for three years. But I believe that the experience I will gain from working here will put me ahead of my peers who support themselves by working nights and weekends in casual jobs but don't gain experiences that could help them further their careers.