Department of Health to Develop Future Leaders
Background
Integral recognises the importance of investing in early-career professionals within the healthcare sector. In 2023, we partnered with the Department of Health (DoH) to design and deliver a tailored leadership program for recent graduates, equipping them with essential skills for future career success. 2023 marked the 10th year for Integral and Department of Health partnering to deliver another outstanding graduate development program.
Challenge
The DoH sought to provide its diverse cohort of 14 graduates with a comprehensive leadership foundation. This included developing skills in areas essential to the healthcare field, such as project management, change management, innovation, and fostering collaborative teams. The challenge was to deliver a program that would tangibly enhance the participants' capabilities and confidence within their current and future roles at the DoH.
Solution/Approach
Integral worked closely with the DoH to craft a year-long program, integrating theoretical frameworks and practical skill development. In recognition of the comprehensive program, graduates were awarded the BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management, an Australian government certified qualification.
The program comprised a comprehensive curriculum designed to address the specific needs of DoH graduates. The key components of the program were:
Tailored Workshops: The graduates engaged in eight targeted workshops, building expertise in project management, personal development, culture, leadership, innovation, change management, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Individual Coaching: Participants received personalised support through four coaching sessions with experienced Integral coaches, allowing for focused growth through tailored development plans.
Workplace Application: The program combined classroom learning with real-world assessments designed to apply new skills directly to workplace challenges. The final project required participants to implement and present a change initiative to their cohort, supervisors, and program assessors.
“The most influential aspects of the Integral program were the opportunities to connect with industry professionals during workshops and receive valuable advice through open discussion in a supportive environment. I also found the coaching sessions very valuable, enhancing my skills and knowledge in the areas I wanted to improve. ”
The Outcome
The program's effectiveness was measured through pre- and post-program surveys completed by participants and their managers. The surveys assessed various leadership skills to determine whether they were translated into the workshops and the participant's work placements.
Integral’s bespoke software platform, Able, measured the overall improvement in leadership capability across the full set of skills the participants were assessed on throughout the program. The pre-and post-survey scores showed an overall leadership uplift for the program:
Self-ratings: Increased by an average of 0.8 points across all leadership indicators.
Manager ratings: Increased by an average of 1.2 points across all leadership indicators.
Uplift in scores based on each program topic was also measured as follows with participants assessed throughout the program:
Leading People: Increased by 0.9 points (self-assessment) and 1.3 points (manager evaluation).
Managing Strategy: Increased by 1.2 points (self-assessment) and 1.5 points (manager evaluation).
Managing Performance: Increased by 1.9 points (self-assessment) and 1.6 points (manager evaluation).
“The Integral program broadened my capabilities to lead and manage effective workplace relationships, develop operational plans, and mitigate business risks. It not only deepened my knowledge of leadership and management but also equipped me with the skills to plan, design, and evaluate solutions to unpredictable problems. ”
The program experience was also rated positively across participants' ratings of each Integral workshop and coaching session.
· The average score for all 8 workshops was 8.9/10
· The average score for the coaching sessions was 9.1/10.
“Undertaking the Integral Diploma of Leadership Program has provided me with a critical early-career platform to engage in critical thought around best practices in personal and team management. The knowledge I have gained through the diploma has empowered me to engage in complex work packages more competently and confidently, resulting in delivering meaningful outcomes for myself and the sector more broadly.”
Conclusion
Integral's commitment to nurturing future talent is evident in this successful partnership with the DoH. The program's emphasis on experiential learning and personalised coaching directly contributed to the measurable growth of 2023 DOH graduates. The positive shift in self-assessments and manager ratings validates the program's effectiveness in fostering tangible development.
By collaborating with the Department of Health, we are proud to contribute to developing a skilled and capable workforce dedicated to improving public health outcomes.