How to get the right skills mix for modern, digital government
Governments around the world are all faced with meeting skills gaps and talent challenges. Many services require digitally-savvy public servants to help deliver more citizen-focused services, while there is also a need for leadership and management skills to allow government to become more risk-smart and innovative.
This Global Government Forum webinar brought together public servants from across the world to discuss how to build the skills that are needed – from the importance of core skills for civil servants to how government can invest in the skills and talent that they need.
This session discussed how governments can assess the skills it needs; how they can build the skills it needs through recruitment; and how to boost the skills of civil servants who already work in government. We discussed:
- How to understand and develop the key competences needed within government.
- How to focus on improving the digital skills within civil services.
- How to revamp recruitment practices to make government more agile, plus other recommendations from GGF’s Making Government Work report.
Panel
Peter Vandenbruaene, General Advisor, Manager- Key Skills Development, Federal Public Service for Policy and Support, Belgium
For over 25 years, Peter Vandenbruaene has been working in the field of Learning & Development within the Belgian Federal Administration, in the DG Recruitment & Development of the Federal Public Service Policy & Support (BOSA).
He leads a team of training managers organising trainings in different fields, including personal effectiveness, communication, digital skills, foreign languages, EU matters and civil service skills. As an expert on Human Resources Development, Peter has shared his experience during conference presentations and workshops with civil servants all over the world, from Kazakhstan to Tahiti, from Guinea to South Korea. He also coordinates International Relations in the field of Training & Learning.
Peter also teaches evening classes at Ghent University. He represents Belgium in the Board of Governors of the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) and in the European network of Directors of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration (DISPA).
Lauren Hunter, Director- Talent Policy and Platforms, Digital Talent and Leadership Sector, Office of the Chief Information Officer of Canada, Canada
Lauren is the Director for Digital Talent Policy and Platforms at the Office of the Chief Information Officer of Canada. She has a PhD in human rights from the University of British Columbia, where she taught antiracism and gender analysis at the Centre for Social Justice. She joined Government in 2008, and has worked extensively on Indigenous issues, strategic policy, innovation, and digital products. Working with her team, she launched the first innovation hub in the Government of Canada in 2014, and helped several other departments in establishing their own hubs and labs. Since 2017, Lauren has been leading platform experimentation and delivery related to digital talent solutions.
Nyiko Mabunda, Chief Director, Office of the Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), South Africa
Nyiko Mabunda is the Chief Director in the Office of the Director-General of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).
The Department is responsible for the setting of norms and standards including on human resource planning, employment, performance, development, transformation andworkplace environment, as well as labour relations, eGovernment and Service Delivery across the public service within the Republic of South Africa.
Mabunda has experience as a project manager at an international development firm, policy management, development and evaluations. As a Policy Advisor and Analyst in the Office of the Premier, within the Gauteng Province, Mabunda was responsible for conducting research and advisory services on policy issues in support of the Provincial Cabinet and the Premier.
Mabunda has completed degrees with majors in Political Science and Public Administration; Public Policy; International Political Economy and International Relations. These qualifications and experiences enjoins Mabunda with the ability to understand the global policy landscape and the constraints faced by policy implementers and developers.
Mark Onisk, Chief Content Officer, Skillsoft
As Chief Content Officer since 2018, Mark oversees Skillsoft’s catalogue, setting strategic direction. He expanded Skillsoft Books’ audiobooks and launched a summary product, creating the largest corporate learning library. Earlier, Mark led strategic development and delivered solutions to clients. Joining Skillsoft post Element K acquisition, with 15 years there, he directed strategy and development. He holds an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology and a BS in Finance and Economics from SUNY Brockport.
Webinar chair: Richard Johnstone, Executive Editor, Global Government Forum
Richard is the Executive Editor of Global Government Forum, where he helps to produce editorial analysis and insight for the title’s audience of public servants around the world. Before joining GGF, he spent nearly five years at UK-based title Civil Service World, latterly as Acting Editor, and has worked in public policy journalism throughout his career.
