“What is needed is that clear commitment, from the Ministerial level down and backed up by coherent strategy, to skills and capabilities improvements. Just as the NAO looks at financial performance, we should have a body, working with a select committee in the same way that scrutinises civil service performance in detail on more than a financial basis. Standards of government will be increased both by external audit and by greater parliamentary accountability.” – Tony Wright MP, Chair, Public Administration Select Committee

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The Government’s Departmental Capability Reviews have revealed serious shortcomings in the civil service’s capacities and capabilities. In an era of unprecedented change within public services, both in terms of what services are expected by the public and how those services are delivered, urgent action is required to upskill civil servants, and improve performance measurement, if the big initiatives, from Transformational Government to the Sustainable Development Strategy, are to be successfully implemented.

To examine this key topic, Public Service Events is pleased to announce Skills for the Future –Leadership and Management in the Public Sector, to take place at the Barbican, London on 6th December 2007. To explore this controversial topic, we will bring together some of the leading experts on skills within the public services, examining topics including performance monitoring, personnel development, recruitment and retention, giving delegates from across the public sector the opportunity to engage with the debate and have their say in how a positive culture of skills can be embedded within our public services.

Government policy stands or falls on the quality of the staff tasked with its delivery. Ensuring that the UK’s civil servants are equipped with the skills to deliver today’s policies for tomorrow’s challenges is one of the most important focus areas for government, and we invite you to join us and participate in what promises to be a valuable and rewarding day.