We have put together this FAQ page to answer the most common questions from applicants and the general public about the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme. If you have questions that are not covered below, please send them to ecgraduateprogramme@dia.govt.nz and we will reply as soon as possible.
If your work visa is valid for the entire 18-month programme placement, your application will be considered. We will need evidence of the validity of the visa.
The programme welcomes applications from holders of all Bachelor qualifications.
The placements will mainly be in Wellington with a few based in Auckland and Christchurch.
At this stage, each intake will consist of 15 placements.
The placement will be a 40-hour, full-time, paid work placement based onsite.
A link to the online application form can be found on the Office of Ethnic Communities website.
This will be at the discretion of the Host Agency, but we are committed to working with each Host Agency to identify employment opportunities for our graduates after their 18-month placements.
There is no age limit for applying to the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme.
We are currently still in the negotiation stages with potential Host Agencies. Once this is confirmed, we will make this information available on the Office of Ethnic Communities website.
Yes. Some Host Agencies will be involved in the recruiting process. You will be notified of this should you get through to the next stage of the selection process.
We are currently working on a Learning and Development Plan which will include pastoral care of candidates. We will release this to successful candidates once it is formalised.
Flexible working is at the discretion of the Host Agency. Should you be successful, we can facilitate this conversation with the Host Agency.
We will work with the successful candidates to ensure that we get a suitable mentor for them during their time of employment.
At this stage, we are not looking to extend the recruitment deadline.
To be successful in this programme you will:
We are still in the process of finalising the recruitment/interview process; however, we will share this information with shortlisted candidates once it is formalised. We anticipate giving the candidates adequate time to ensure that they can prepare for the interview/s.
GPAs are important, but your ambitions, skillset, experiences and commitment to public service will be the key considerations we will be looking for.
There are other Early in Career programmes (Graduate and Internship) available that take graduates from all levels.
Here is a list from the Public Service Commission’s website(external link).
The following websites provide information about Graduate and Internship Programmes across both the public and private sectors:
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