WIREDGOV

A New Deal to provide the Civil Service with the skills and training to deliver better value for money services for people was outlined at Civil Service Live 2009 today.

The New Deal has brought together Permanent Secretaries, the human resources community, Government Skills and others to agree a Core Learning Programme to cover the essential areas of policy, leadership and professional development. As the corporate learning resource for the Civil Service, the National School is responsible for its design and delivery.

Speaking at Civil Service Live Rod Clark, Principal and Chief Executive of the National School, said:

"The National School of Government has a simple purpose - to improve public services through high quality, high value learning and development. The New Deal will help us achieve this through developing leaders and future leaders, by building professional communities and by adopting a shared approach to developing policy for delivery.

"I am delighted that the National School of Government has been asked once again to co-ordinate the content of Civil Service Live. This year we have an even greater range of high profile speakers covering themes that are relevant to all of us, whether as civil servants, partners in public service delivery or citizens."

Highlights from the plenary sessions at Civil Service Live include:

• 'Engagement and Aspiration: Reconnecting Policymaking with Frontline Professionals', hosted by the National School's Sunningdale Institute Fellows Sir David Omand, Lord Adebowale and Professor Ken Starkey.
• 'A New Deal from the National School: Can you really afford to ignore it?', hosted by National School Chief Executive Rod Clark.
• Skills Roundtable: Hear government leads debate our skills challenge.
• In addition, National School workshops will cover a wide range of issues affecting today's Civil Service such as innovation, transformation and public service reform.

Notes to Editors:

1. Information on Civil Live 2009 including all the sessions and guests can be found at www.civilservicelive.com
2. The National School of Government is the centre of excellence for innovation in learning and development in support of public service transformation, and was made a non-ministerial government department in 2007. It strives to ensure the highest professional and academic standards in organisational and people development. Visit www.nationalschool.gov.uk for more information.
3. For general enquiries and programme booking please contact National School of Government Customer Services team customer.services@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 01344 634628
4. For media enquiries, please contact Alfred Bacchus, Senior Communications Manager, email Alfred.bacchus@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 01344 634253 or Chris Blunkell, email chris.blunkell@btinternet.com, tel: 01227 772747, m 07941 831341.