Live discussion: what skills will councils demand in the future?
Author: The Guardian, Local Government Network |
Chief Executive of Localis, Alex Thomson, participated in a Guardian online debate about the skills needed for the future local government workforce.
Two of Alex’s comments were highlighted by the Guardian in particular:
The cultural shift in the perception of local government: When I was a civil servant, sometimes you got the impression that one or two people thought they were a cut above local government staff. The experience of the last few years, including Sir Bob Kerslake’s appointment to the head of the home civil service, shows that such an attitude was based more on ignorance than reality.
Employ people with commercial experience: At a time when councils are thinking about trading services, commissioning services from an increasingly diverse range of providers, releasing value from assets in all kinds of different ways, etc, commercial skills have never been more important. The resignation of Norfolk county council’s chief executive, as he believed that he didn’t have enough commercial skills and experience for the council’s future direction, emphasises the point.
Other participants included:
Grace Towers is a graduate on the future leaders programme at Shropshire council.
Paul O’Brien is the chief executive of the Association for Public Service Excellence.
Ami Beeton has 10 years experience working in local government and currently works for the LGA.
Nigel Carruthers works for the LGA as a senior advisor on workforce strategy.
Julie Towers is the managing director of recruitment solutions at Penna, a HR services group.
Chris Lecatsas-Lyus is director of Career Workouts.
Raffaela Goodby is a member of the Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA) and head of engagement, reward and recognition at Birmingham city council.
Leatham Green is policy lead for wellbeing and job creation for the Public Sector People Managers’ Association (PPMA) and assistant director HR at East Sussex county council.