The Government wishes to ensure that chief executive officers; senior executive officers; general management and specialist advisers are using resources to the greatest advantage in the public sector and, in particular, are obtaining the best value for money for staff development and training.

In future CEOs, other senior staff and specialists may address or be involved with seminars or conferences run by professional associations such as RIPAA and the Australian Economics Society for instance, or other non-profit bodies such as the Australian Quality Council where the program is relevant to the public sector. Unless with the specific approval of the Minister, officers should not address commercially-run seminars and workshops and a critical analysis should be made as to whether public sector agencies should have large attendances at such functions especially when the cost can be substantial.

The Management Improvement Division within the Public Employment Office is undertaking a sector-wide assessment of training and development needs and will develop an overall framework to ensure the NSW public sector has the appropriate skills and competencies for the future.

(K.P. Baxter)
Director-General