Public Works and Government Services Canada's Financial Officer Recruitment and Development Program

Are you interested in finding out more about Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)'s Financial Officer Recruitment and Development (FORD) Program? Here you will find detailed information about the program, how it works and how you can apply!

What is the FORD Program?

The FORD Program is organized through the Office of the Comptroller General's (OCG) Recruitment and Career Management Sector. The main objective of the OCG’s FORD Program is to recruit entry-level financial officers across Canada and create a large pool of potential trainees for participating departments. For more information on the OCG’s FORD Program, please visit their website.

The PWGSC FORD Program is a joint program between the Finance Branch (FB) and the Accounting, Banking and Compensation Branch (ABCB), aimed at developing candidates into competent financial officers. Due to the complexity of the financial services and operations that occur in these two branches, the departmental FORD Program is 24 months in length and is divided into three eight month assignments across these branches.

Specifics about the PWGSC FORD Program

Indeterminate positions and acting possibilities

PWGSC's FORD Program is designed to train and develop FORD trainees so they can perform competently as financial officers in indeterminate positions at the FI-01 level. Upon successful completion of the program, the FORD trainee will be offered an acting FI-02 position for a period of 12 months if the required competencies are demonstrated.

Assignments

Work assignments and graduate placements are administered based on operational requirements, taking into consideration trainee preference where possible. There is no set pattern for trainee assignments as operational requirements change frequently, thus trainees must be flexible in accepting assignments.

Also to ensure that trainees receive diverse financial experience, trainees must have at least one assignment within the Finance Branch (FB) and the Accounting, Banking and Compensation Branch (ABCB).

Learning and development

The Department invests in the trainee's development by supporting multiple learning activities. In addition to on-the-job assignments, the program allows time and financial support to attend corporate learning activities, skill training for the assignment as well as Office of the Comptroller General's (OCG) orientation session. Trainees can also participate in CMA/CGA programs and other studies that are directly related to the business of Finance, Central Accounting and Reporting, and Banking and Cash Management. All of these training courses must be on the trainees' personal learning plan. It is important to note that the program will support a trainee in acquiring only one professional designation.

Why PWGSC? What's in it for me?

There are many different reasons you should consider choosing PWGSC. Here is what we have to offer you.

What do I need to qualify?

Please refer to the Office of the Comptroller General's (OCG) website to know about the Personal and Academic Qualifications required to qualify in the FORD Program.

In addition, to be selected by PWGSC, you must meet the following criteria:

How do I apply

You must apply on-line via the annual Post-Secondary Recruitment Campaign, which is held in September. You can obtain additional information from the Public Service Commission (PSC) Web site at JOBS.GC.CA.

If you have qualified in the Office of the Comptroller General (OCG)'s inventory and you would like to participate in PWGSC's FORD Program, please contact us via email at finance@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Recruitment steps

Once you have been notified by the Office of the Comptroller General's (OCG) that you are in the FORD Program inventory, you will be:

  • Contacted for an interview by PWGSC;
  • Requested to submit 3 names for reference checks and proof of your citizenship and diploma;
  • Scheduled to write Second Language Evaluation;
  • Asked to fill out a security clearance form.

You will be presented with a letter of offer once all the steps mentioned above have been successfully completed.

FAQ

  1. What is the starting salary?
  2. As a trainee am I entitled to benefits?
  3. Am I guaranteed an acting FI-02 position at the end of the 24 months?
  4. Do I get to choose my assignments?
  5. Do I have to be bilingual?
  6. Do you cover relocation?

Answers:

  1. The starting salary for a FORD Program trainee at PWGSC is the first level of the FI-01 pay scale as stated in the FI Collective Agreement. Currently, it is $48,430. As FORD trainees at PWGSC you are required to have a language profile of at least BBB. Therefore, you are eligible for the bilingual bonus of $800 per year.
  2. Yes, FORD program trainees are indeterminate employees of the public sector and are entitled to the benefits of regular Federal Public Service employees. For more details please see the information on the Treasury Board Secretariat website.
  3. No, upon completion of each assignment, trainees are evaluated according to objectives that were set with their supervisors at the beginning of their assignments, based on the FI competency profile. At the end of the program, assuming the trainee has received fully satisfactory performance evaluations, the trainee will participate in an informal interview, which will test several core competencies in order to occupy an acting position at the FI-02 level for a maximum period of 12 months. During this period, trainees must apply on the next FI-02 selection process in order to obtain their position. If the trainee does not succeed the FI-02 selection process, the acting appointment will be revoked. If the acting position is not awarded, the trainee will be offered an FI-01 position according to operational needs.
  4. The FORD Program Coordinator will try to accommodate trainee preferences. However, there are no guarantees as it depends on operational requirements.
  5. Yes, PWGSC emphasizes maintaining a bilingual work environment, and takes pride in enriching a diverse community. For these reasons, PWGSC ensures all FORD Program trainees have their BBB certificates.
  6. Yes, we will help with some or all of the relocation costs of moving to the National Capital Region, in accordance with the Integrated Initial Appointees Relocation Program.