PSC CIRCULAR No.

52/2012
To:

Permanent Secretaries and

Heads of Departments

Subject: GRADUATE TRAINEE SCHEME

POLICY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

File:

29/661/1-4

Date: 26/07/2012

1.0

The Public Service Commission has approved the re-introduction of

a Graduate Trainee (GT) Scheme within the Public Service.

2.0

To facilitate the implementation of the Scheme, a Graduate Trainee

Policy is now in place for the Public Service, a copy of which is
attached as Annexure I. The document can also be accessed
through the PSC website: http://www.psc.gov.fj.

3.0

Addressees are advised to disseminate the Policy as widely as

possible throughout their respective Ministries, Departments and
Agencies.

5.0

Further enquiries may be directed to Mr Eroni Loganimoce on

telephone
3314588
Ext
257
or
email
address
eloganimoce@govnet.gov.fj or Mr Sanjeshwar Ram on telephone
3314588 Ext 302 or email address sanjeshwar.ram@psc.gov.fj.

Parmesh Chand
Permanent Secretary for the Public Service

ANNEXURE I

Public Service Commission

POLICY ON GRADUATE TRAINEES IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

CONTENTS
TOPIC

PAGE

1.0

POLICY OBJECTIVE

2.0

POLICY

3.0

BACKGROUND

4.0

DEFINITIONS

5.0

RELEVANT LEGISLATIONS AND AUTHORITIES

6.0

PROCEDURES

7.0

GUIDELINES

8.0

EFFECTIVE DATE

9.0

REVIEW DATE

10.0

KEY SEARCH WORDS

11.0

APPROVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION

1.0 POLICY OBJECTIVE

This overarching policy provides clear procedures and guidelines to assist the Public
Service Commission and Government Ministries/Departments in relation to the
appointment and management of Graduate Trainees in the Fiji Public Service.

2.0 POLICY
2.1

This shall be the only policy on the management of Graduate Trainees in the
Public Service and Ministries/Departments shall be bound by the contents of this
policy.

2.2

It is at the discretion of the Public Service Commission to select and appoint

Graduate Trainees in consultation with the respective Permanent Secretaries.

2.3

A strict age criteria of 20 to 30 years of age shall apply in the selection and
appointment of Graduate Trainees.

2.4

The Public Service Commission as an employer shall provide on the job training
and work attachment for Graduate Trainees according to the needs of the
Public Service.

2.5

Ministries/Departments shall submit performance assessment report for the six

(6) monthly attachment periods to the Public Service Commission.

2.6

The PSC shall be the only Government designated focal agency for the
appointment of Graduate Trainees and the management of the programmes.

2.7

If need be, Ministries/Departments shall have GT Policies contextualized to

address their needs. Ministries/Departments may apply to utilize the services of
Graduate Trainees provided they have funds approved for this purpose.

2.8

A Graduate Trainee shall be on normal terms and conditions of service and

receive an annual salary pegged at the minimum of SS04 grade or equivalent.

2.9

A Graduate Trainee shall undergo training and work attachment for two (2)
years.

3.0 BACKGROUND
3.1

Graduate Trainees
The Commission in 2010 had approved the Recruitment of the Best and the
Brightest policy and accordingly the Graduate Trainees will be on normal terms
and conditions of service with salaries pegged at the minimum of the SS04 level
which is $16,160 per annum or equivalent.

3.2

The budget for Graduate Trainees (GT) for 2012 is under Activity 3 Corporate
Services Division and the amount allocated is $$87,833 under SEG1 (Personal
Emolument and FNPF). The total number of GT that can be appointed in 2012
is 5.

3.3

Reviews of Minimum Qualification Requirement (MQR)

3.3.1 The Graduate Trainee Programme was last reviewed under the Nicol and
Hurst Report and the approved MQR is attached as Appendix I
3.3.2 In 2010 the Commission approved the paper on the Recruitment of the
Best and the Brightest. The duties of the position and the MQR deduced
from the paper are attached as Appendix II.

4.0 DEFINITIONS
4.1

Graduate Trainee
(a)

Is an applicant of the Graduate Trainee Scheme;

(b)

A graduate from a recognised Institution with a GPA of 3.5 and above

and;
Is appointed by the Public Service Commission.

(c)
4.2

Contract of Service
The duration for the Contract for Graduate Trainee shall be for two (2) years.

4.3

Trainee/Work Attachment
A work programme is designed for Graduate Trainees for a period of two (2)
years prior to taking up appointment in a Ministry or Department.

5.0 RELEVANT LEGISLATIONS & AUTHORITIES

5.1

Public Service Act & Regulations 1999

5.2

General Orders, 2011

5.3

State Services Decree, 2009

6.0 PROCEDURES
6.1

Recommended MQR
6.1.1

Duties
The graduate shall be required to:

6.1.2

(a)
(b)

learn through hands-on work on all aspect of the civil service;

undertake special assignments, support and duties delegated by
the Supervising Officer;

(c)

edit and write relevant papers, documents and correspondence;

(d)

prepare briefs;

(e)

provide assessments and presentations on assigned tasks;

(f)

produce demonstrable results to be considered for accelerated

promotion to Administrative Officer positions.
Minimum Qualification Requirement

A good degree in a discipline of value to the service from a recognized

institution. The candidate must have excellent command in English and
must be computer literate. Assessed at interview to have considerable
potential and the desire to contribute to the Public Service.
6.2

APPOINTMENTS
6.2.1

The Public Service Commission shall advertise all programmes under the
Graduate Trainee Scheme in accordance with the needs identified by
Ministries and Departments.

6.2.2

All applicants shall undergo a stringent and streamlined screening process

that will ultimately identify the desiring top achievers.

6.2.3

In line with the current policy of selection and appointments the

screening process shall include interviews, verbal or written tests and any
other similar job selection activities.

6.2.4

Appointments of Graduate Trainees shall be made according to the

requirements under the Public Service Act and Regulations, 1999.

6.2.5

Supervisors and the Permanent Secretary shall submit to the Commission

a six (6) monthly performance assessment report for the graduate
trainee.

6.3

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

6.3.1

A Graduate Trainee shall be;

6.3.1.1

on normal terms and conditions of service; and

6.3.1.2 paid an annual salary of $16,160, minimum of the SS04 grade.

6.4

TRAINING AND WORK ATTACHMENT

6.4.1

On appointment, the Graduate Trainee shall;

6.4.1.1 undergo a one (1) week Induction programme to be conducted
by the Training Division of PSC;
6.4.1.2 be on work attachment within the Divisions in PSC or with
Ministries and Departments for six (6) months;
6.4.1.3 attend and participate in training and workshops relevant to his
assignment;
6.4.1.4 sit and pass H[1] and H[2] Service examinations or to pass a GT
Service Examinations (Integration of HI, H2 syllabi).
6.4.1.5 To be absorbed after a initial period of two (2) years to the next
level, SS03; and,
6.4.1.6 Provision for waiver if a respective Permanent Secretary feels
that a Graduate Trainee can be appointed to a higher level
between SS03 to SS01.

7.0 GUIDELINES
7.1

All Ministries/Departments and Supervising Officer must contact PSC in cases of

abscondment of Graduate Trainees.

7.2

Graduate Trainees may contact PSC for any assistance on any issue not catered
for in the provisions.

8.0 EFFECTIVE DATE..................................................................................................................

9.0 REVIEW DATE........................................................................................................................

10.0 KEY SEARCH WORDS

Appointments, Duties, H[1] and H[2] Service examinations, Terms And Conditions,
Training And Work Attachment

11.0 APPROVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, MR.

JOSEFA SERULAGILAGI

.....09/07/2012...........
Date

Signature

APPENDIX I
Nicol and Hurst Report

Minimum Qualification
A good degree in a discipline of value to the service. Assessed at interview to have
considerable potential and the desire to contribute to the Public Service.

APPENDIX II

Duties
The graduate will be required to learn through hands-on work on all aspect of the
civil service, undertake special assignments, support and duties delegated by the
Supervising Officer. Able to edit and write relevant papers, documents and
correspondence, prepare briefs, provide assessments and presentations on assigned
tasks. The incumbent should be able to produce demonstrable results to be considered
for accelerated promotion to Administrative Officer positions.
Qualification
A good degree in a discipline of value to the service from a recognized institution. The
candidate must have a good command in English and be computer literate. Assessed
at interview to have considerable potential and the desire to contribute to the Public
Service.