Sharing learning methodologies: new avenues for partnership in the training and development of public sector executives

Abstract

Today's public service executives are facing daunting professional challenges. Not only do they need to enhance their capacity to adapt smoothly to the rapid changes and competitive pressures associated with the emergent knowledge economy, but they need to function as a more tightly integrated network than in the past, with a greater focus on horizontal governance. This integration is driven by the growing interconnectedness of public policy issues in the global economy and by public pressures on government to generate and account for meaningful and often immediate results.

To support public service executives in this more timely, unified and collaborative approach, training will have to focus more and more on developing a shared understanding of the mission, laws, principles, values and corporate priorities of the country and its public service. This will need to be reinforced by a variety of learning methodologies to address the complexity of the training challenge, adapt to personal learning styles and to share knowledge across professional and organizational boundaries.

In creating the Canada School of Public Service, a leading centre of expertise in public administration learning, the Government of Canada has recognized this need. The School is developing intragovernmental, intergovernmental and international partnerships to provide services using a wide range of new technologies and approaches including new approaches to classroom learning, action learning, e-learning, distance learning, large group intervention, coaching and mentoring and communities of practice. The School is promoting a philosophy of blended learning, using a mix of methodologies as the best means to optimize delivery of training to public service executives and providing much needed flexibility to individual learning styles and learner schedules.

The paper and presentation will highlight best practices in sharing learning methodologies for the training and development of public service executives, including the added value of international partnerships. Beyond their immediate relevance to schools of public administration, they will be of interest to leaders of public organizations seeking to operate to their full potential and continually achieve excellent results.