GovTechTalent Graduate Programme
The GovTechTalent Graduate Programme is about utilising and developing talented individuals who want to shape the digital future of government — for the benefit of New Zealanders.
Applications now open – apply before .
The Government is redesigning its services and processes so that it can better serve its customers. Our graduates play a role in enhancing the service experience for New Zealanders. They are helping shape the digital nation.
The programme is for people who appreciate that ‘Digital’ is a different way of thinking. While technology supports change, Digital is a change in thinking to understand the customer, redesign business processes, and integrate services across agencies.
About the programme
The graduate programme takes place across an 18-month period.
Graduates go through 2 rotations — each 9 months long — at various participating government agencies.
Video transcript
[Title: Explore the path of digital in government]
[Danielle, GovTechTalent Graduate]In applying for this programme. I didn’t know as much about it. I didn’t know what path it would take me on, but I applied anyway. And then I kind of just kept getting to the next stage of the application process and then ended up getting in. So, yeah, you just never know. So yeah, just take the opportunity.
[Russel, GovTechTalent Graduate]During the application process, I wasn’t sure that I was the right person to be applying for it, but it was a really positive experience. If you’re worried about seeing ‘tech’ in the name, one of the great things about the program is that you can kind of wiggle your way into whatever you’d actually like to be working on. So a lot of people work on policy. Myself, I do do a lot of coding, but there’s also a large range of different things I can do, and I’m picking up a lot of skills along the way.
[Alex, GovTechTalent Graduate]When I saw that the GovTech programme was going to be in Wellington. I felt excited to move. I had studied in Auckland and grown up in Auckland, so getting to experience a different city felt fresh and exciting. Moving into any city has some challenges, but I felt really supported by the GovTech programme, and my cohort immediately have a group of friends that want to support you and that are in the same boat. So I think that that helps settle your way into a new city.
[Hirini, GovTechTalent Graduate]I especially think that Māori and Pasifika should come along, should apply because you learn so much about yourself what it means to be, Māori in government and how you navigate that complex past. There are a lot of Māori in government, older Māori who’ve been here and have been challenging the system and changing the system, and they want to bring young rangatahi in to grow those people, grow their capabilities and, continue that change that they’ve been working on. And I’ve been a part of that, and it’s really cool to see.
[Sinead, GovTechTalent Graduate]And so the main appeal for the programme for me was getting to do the different rotations and try different things. So even though I saw ‘tech’, it did say on the website that you didn’t need to have a specific tech degree. So I sort of figured I’d just apply and see what happened. And here we are. I applied at 11:30 the night the applications were due because I was like, I know I kind of had thought about it and I was like, no, I need to do it. And I think it’s just worth applying and putting yourself out there.
[Alma, GovTechTalent Graduate]Don’t feel like you’ll be pressured to do anything. Just go with the flow. Take it one day at a time. You never know where you might find yourself. Just go for it. That’s my advice. Don’t overthink it.
What the graduates have to say
‘I am learning skills that are relevant in the modern workplace, and I’m developing relationships and experience that will put me in a good position to pursue my goals into the future.’ (Chris McDowall, GTT Graduate)
They also told us what they enjoy about the programme:
- Exposure to a number of different business areas, projects, areas of interest, ways of working.
- Experiencing real time effects of their work benefiting New Zealanders.
- The social nature of the programme, working with the other graduates.
- Ongoing coaching and mentoring to guide their career development.
- The meaningful work and working with many talented leaders in the industry
Contact
For more information contact GovTechTalent@dia.govt.nz.
Utility links and page information
Last updated
