WIREDGOV

A new series of skills programmes for public servants working in the North of England has been launched to help improve the delivery of cost effective public services.

The new programmes were launched at Civil Service Live Gateshead, a one-day event at The Sage conference centre that brought together Civil Servants from across the region to share best practice and develop new ways of delivering services.

Rod Clark, Principal and Chief Executive of the National School, said:

"Collectively, as public servants we wrestle with our mission to improve the services we provide for people in these difficult economic times. As well as providing national support we also need to help deliver better service locally. The National School offers innovative learning to help us all do just that. I am confident that these programmes will equip participants to deliver even better public service for the public of the North East.”

Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service said:

“The vast majority of Civil Servants work outside London, on the frontline, delivering vital public services which are helping people through the economic downturn. We all want to deliver the best service we can and the National School’s North East learning programmes will help us to focus on local solutions.”

The selection of flagship programmes will support managers, leaders and professionals looking to develop their core skills or to explore fresh approaches to their work. These include:

• Northern Lights Leadership Programme designed to help strike a balance between day to day delivery and dealing with longer term strategic issues.
• Aspiring to the Senior Civil Service (SCS) to prepare senior managers for the step up to the SCS.
• Unlocking Your Leadership provides practical approaches for emerging leaders to acquire the skills needed to lead effectively.
• Professional Skills for Government framework that sets out the mix of skills and experience civil servants at all grades need to excel in their jobs.

In addition to these core programmes the National School provides flexibility to ensure learning and development opportunities are relevant to real life working priorities. As well as training programmes the School employs a broad range of formats including tailored-training and consultancy, half day briefings, postgraduate qualifications and online programmes via our ‘Virtual School’. 



Notes to editors

1. More information on the new North of England programmes is available at www.nationalschool.gov.uk/noe

 2. Civil Service Live (CSL) is sponsored by the Cabinet Office, National School of Government and Whitehall and Westminster World and is open to civil servants of all grades. This is the first CSL event to be held outside London and took place on the 9 March 2009.

3. 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.

4. For general enquiries and programme booking please contact National School of Government Customer Services team
customer.services@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 01344 634628

5. For media enquiries, please contact Alfred Bacchus, Senior Communications Manager, email Alfred.bacchus@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk, tel: 01344 634253, or Chris Blunkell, Corporate Communications Advisor, email chris.blunkell@btinternet.com, tel: 01227 772747, m 07941 831341.