Government Skills
24 July 2009
Skills was the subject of a very lively debate this month, when civil servants at all levels exchanged views and opinions with senior leaders. Organised by Government Skills, the skills round table took place as part of Civil Service Live 2009 in London – the major event encouraging innovation and best practice in the civil service.
Could you stand up in front of 400 people and tell them about your struggle to get qualified? Driving centre manager Danny Williams thought he couldn't.
But his contribution to a session at Civil Service Live on civil service apprenticeships was hugely popular. He proved that not only is it possible to find the time to improve your skills despite the demands of your job, but there are also benefits to be gained by doing so.
His achievement so impressed Rosemary Thew, CEO of the Driving Standards Agency, that she was keen to share it with the skills round table audience the following day.
“Driving examiners get just five minutes between tests, but Danny wanted to become an apprentice and improve his presentation kills. He worked out how to make the time available, and yesterday he talked about what he had learned in front of one of the biggest audiences at Civil Service Live. The feedback was absolutely brilliant.
“There was time involved, which was the really difficult part for the individual and his line manager. Tut if we are going to make ourselves an organisation for the future, we have to make that investment.”
Danny's story was one example given during a discussion of how the civil service is faring in its ambitious plan to improve the skills of all civil servants. Over 250 people attended the skills roundtable on day 2 of Civil Service Live to share their experiences and ask questions of those who are managing the project's implementation, including two permanent secretaries, three chief executives and HR directors.
Some had concerns about progress, while for others it was shaping up to be a positive experience.
More than one questioner was worried about how time for training could be found during a recession as workloads increase, but panel members were adamant that the benefits outweighed the problems.
“You need skills most when times get tough. When the water is beginning to rise around you, learning to swim would be a smart idea,” said John Elvidge, Scottish Government permanent secretary and chair of the board responsible for delivery of the Skills Strategy for Government.
He agreed it could be difficult for individuals to find time for training, but said it was important for managers further up the chain to be made aware of the practical consequences of work pressures getting in the way. It should be possible for this to be resolved at a higher level, he said.
Audience members also wanted to know how their experiences in other jobs and volunteering roles would be noted as part of the skills they had to offer.
Paul Jenkins, Treasury Solicitor and chair of the board which oversees Professional Skills for Government, said developing professional skills in government was vital and had to be developed alongside a wider skills agenda.
“It's crucial for our 2000 lawyers in government to be the best lawyers they can, but they also need to understand our business. If they haven't developed their wider skills too, they won't understand the business of the client. It's about getting a wide range of skills across government for clients or internal people.”
After the session, a delighted Andrew McDonald, panel co-chair and Chief Executive of Government Skills, spoke about the progress that had been made.
“What really came over was how Government Skills and the National School of Government are working together to improve skills leadership, and how that agenda is transforming the outlook of civil service leaders and staff at all levels.
“There was great interest in the skills agenda from people both working in and heading up our different departments, and growing examples of best practice. It is a very positive indication for the future.”
Members of the skills round table panel were:
Andrew McDonald, (joint chair) CEO Government Skills, the Sector Skills Council for Central Government
Rod Clark, (joint Chair) Head of the National School of Government.
John Elvidge, Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government and Chair of the Skills Strategy Delivery Board
Katrine Sporle, CEO, Planning Inspectorate
Kate Cassidy, Head of Constitutional Affairs & Legislation Management, Welsh Assembly Government
Paul Jenkins, Treasury Solicitor, chair of PSG Project Board
Kevin White, Director General of Human Resources, Home Office
Rosemary Thew, CEO, Driving Standards Agency
Andy Good, Group HR Director, Ministry of Justice
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