Better Public Services - Emerging Leaders Graduate Programme April 2026

Emerging Leaders Graduate Programme: Shaping the Future of Ireland’s Civil Service

The fifth cohort of the Emerging Leaders Graduate Programme (ELGP) is due to begin in April 2026, demonstrating the continued success of programme. The ELGP has been developed by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) in partnership with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER). Launched in June 2024, the ELGP aims to transform the experience of Administrative Officers (AOs) and Third Secretaries, while strengthening capability across government.

Developed to modernise the previous Graduate Development Programme, the ELGP is designed around a clear ambition: to equip new Administrative Officers and Third Secretaries with the skills, confidence and professional networks needed to meet rapidly evolving policy, analytical and leadership demands.

Since its introduction, 470 participants from 25 Departments and Offices have completed the programme, with participation expected to reach over 650 by year-end 2026.

The programme’s seven in‑person modules cover the fundamentals of public administration, policy development, legislative processes, governance, communications and leadership. Sessions are delivered by over expert speakers and contributors, with a blend of IPA teaching staff and civil servants, ensuring teaching is grounded firmly in real-world experience and reflective learning methodologies.

Participants repeatedly highlight the value of connecting and networking through in-person learning that brings together colleagues from across the Civil Service. Strengths of the programme include the relevance of content to participants roles in complex environments, and the personal and professional confidence and growth that the programme fosters.

The new Policy Challenge group work has become one of the most impactful elements. Participants work in small teams on live policy problems currently faced by civil servants applying analysis, design thinking and communication skills. Subject matter experts (SMEs) across Civil Service Departments have submitted challenges on issues such as child poverty, climate action, workforce skills, artificial intelligence, student accommodation, the Irish language, and the bioeconomy to name a few.

Groups present their findings at the final module directly to the subject matter experts who set the challenges. With over 60 policy challenge reports completed to date, Civil Service subject matter experts report that the outputs have directly informed national strategies, governance approaches, new projects and initiatives, and internal working groups.

SMEs have praised the “fresh thinking”, “depth of research” and “strategic insight” brought by participants, showcasing the growing capability of the Civil Service’s next generation of leaders.

With its strong foundations, positive feedback and measurable impact, the ELGP is now firmly established as a cornerstone of career development in the Civil Service.