go back to Government Skills
Sue Ferns Posted at 10/02/2006 09:21:54
Session was informative on the over view of the SSC for Central Government. Looks to be a good initiative. More detailed information about the SSC came from the newsletter.
Good to see that one of the work programmes is PSG, this may raise awareness.
As always the question is 'how.' Working as part of a specialist team very few opportunities avail them selves to broaden experience in to say policy or project management. Again as a specialist there are very few opportunities for secondment.
It was interesting to hear Karen Prices experiences ( SSC e-skills) about reaching into schools to involve more girls in IT skills. In the VOA graduates are recruited at the professional level and although academically well qualified, they often lack 'soft skills' such as presentation skills, power to empathise and work as part of a team. Through the SSC collective discussions with Universities and colleges could assist in bringing these skills into main stream education.
On a wider level also concerned about poor levels of adult literacy/numeracy- will employees be expected to pick up where the education system is currently failing young people?
Anyway seems to be a positive move and will help continue the current environment of learning and development.
Good to see that one of the work programmes is PSG, this may raise awareness.
As always the question is 'how.' Working as part of a specialist team very few opportunities avail them selves to broaden experience in to say policy or project management. Again as a specialist there are very few opportunities for secondment.
It was interesting to hear Karen Prices experiences ( SSC e-skills) about reaching into schools to involve more girls in IT skills. In the VOA graduates are recruited at the professional level and although academically well qualified, they often lack 'soft skills' such as presentation skills, power to empathise and work as part of a team. Through the SSC collective discussions with Universities and colleges could assist in bringing these skills into main stream education.
On a wider level also concerned about poor levels of adult literacy/numeracy- will employees be expected to pick up where the education system is currently failing young people?
Anyway seems to be a positive move and will help continue the current environment of learning and development.
Re: Launch of Government Skills - Thoughts from Karl List, Valuation Office Agency
Martinf Posted At 10/02/2006 16:07:27)
Martinf Posted At 10/02/2006 16:07:27)
I also attended the launch and whilst I was impressed by the razzamatazz of the event and the interactive nature of the launch, I am hoping that the existence of Government Skills is much more widely publicised.
I agree that the issue of Specialists needs to be addressed but I think that, overall, the creation of Government Skills is to be welcomed.
Re: Launch of Government Skills - Thoughts from Karl List, Valuation Office Agency
Sue Ferns Posted At 16/02/2006 15:19:15)
Sue Ferns Posted At 16/02/2006 15:19:15)
First of all I found the launch very interesting and I have the following points I wish to make:-
1. I was very pleased to see it being driven by a Minister and other high ranking personnel.
2. I only hope the initiative is maintained and supported by all concerned, especially if we have a change of Minister or Government, as I have seen a lot of these initiatives fall by the wayside when changes have occurred or money to back the initiative is redirected or stopped altogether.
3. My biggest gripe was that at no time during the presentations was Work-Life Balance mentioned, all the presentations was based on work, work and more work, and I feel that the Work-Life Balance issue is fundamental to making this work in its totality and must be an integral part of what the initiative is all about.
4. I only hope that the views of the specialist unions such as Prospect are heeded and that we maintain a vital driver role in the process and future of the initiative.
5. Again I only hope that all the good ideas and suggestions that were promoted at the conference are followed up and integrated in to the remit of the Governments SSC terms and conditions.
Phil Stout - Department for Transport / Office of Deputy Prime Minister
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