10 June 2008Top Managers Further Developed
GISSenior Officials Attend Development Course
A dozen of the government’s most senior officials began a high-level development course on Tuesday aimed at improving strategic management in the public service.
Permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and other senior officials assembled for the first of three intensive workshops being delivered by McKecknies Ltd., a U.K.-based organisational development and training consultancy firm.
His Excellency the Governor David Pearey told participants during an opening ceremony that leadership is critical to the success of the four-pronged public service reform programme announced in January. “It is only through strong leadership that we can really bring those four key strands together,” the Governor said, noting that the development course is about enhancing strategic management and leadership skills.
The Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Dancia Penn represented the Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE, who is away from the Territory on official business. The Deputy Premier said the Government supports measures to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and professionalism of the public service.
“We are committed to continuing to support all the initiatives that will enhance and improve our public sector,” she said.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony were Deputy Governor Mr. Elton Georges, Director of Human Resources Mr. David Archer, and Chief Executive Officer of McKechnies Mrs. Denise Taylor.
The year-long Top Managers Development Programme is a skills-based course developed for high-level professionals in the public and private sectors. Upon completion, candidates will be eligible for an executive diploma in strategic management.
The development programme is part of the public service reform initiative announced last January by the Governor and endorsed in March by the Premier in his 2008 Budget Address. The reform initiative consists of human resource reform, service delivery improvement, financial management reform, and the full introduction of strategic management.
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