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Forget doom, gloom and despondency, the public sector shake-up could be a real opportunity for young people
Last updated 20-Aug-10 13:44
O.K., so we all know that local government and the whole of the public sector is being squeezed by central government. There are seemingly impossible targets to meet in terms of budget reductions and every day the press seems to run a new story hammering public sector workers as overpaid and underperforming.
Despite this, there may never been a better time for a young person to consider a career within local government. Yes, you heard that right. Despite the low morale, job losses and budget cuts aplenty, the changes that are taking place could actually result in a positive reinvention of a sector which traditionally has done little to attract the young talent leaving our schools, colleges and universities.
Local authorities in the UK have long had a problem with ageing workforces and recruiting and retaining young people. Many of the young people I have spoken to consider a career within local government as a distinctly ‘un-sexy' option - their perception of local government is as ‘boring' ‘stale' and ‘slow paced.' Getting in is also difficult, with authorities' recruitment practices proving to be a significant barrier for young applicants.
You might ask how uncertainty and upheaval can possibly be a good thing for a sector which already has difficulty attracting young talent. No one wants to see jobs being lost and less money in the purse for public spending. But the truth is that local authorities have no choice but to continue to provide services and will therefore have to adapt to their reduced circumstances flexibly.
Many councils' are now choosing to restructure their workforces, axing middle management positions and looking into new and more cost effective ways to operate and deliver services. Some of the less important council functions will likely be axed and more exciting and creative ways of delivering services will need to be introduced.
Apprenticeships, Internships and graduate schemes could all increase in popularity as councils start workforce planning for the future. Organisations will need to focus on recruitment, development and progression of young people to stay afloat and guard against potential skills shortages. The shape of local authority workforces will change and whilst there will be a more competitive employment market, it will be one in which ambitious young people can thrive and make their mark on local government.
Although nobody knows yet what shape the future will take, it seems that it may include greater opportunities than ever before for young people. I suspect that the key to success is to be flexible and creative, but most of all to have the right mindset - view the changes ahead not as a threat, but as an opportunity not to be missed.
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