Public service careers beckon
By 2012, over 25 per cent of today’s public service employees can retire, including almost half of those in executive level positions. Faced with this challenge, UVic and the Government of Canada are working together to attract more students and grads into careers with the federal government.
As part of a unique pilot project that could serve as a model for the rest of the country, the federal government, public administration, co-operative education and career services hosted a free career conference on Oct. 21. “Put Your Talent to Work: Canada’s Future Through You” allowed students and grads to discuss their views on public policy with senior decision makers. They heard 20 speakers—federal deputy ministers, assistant deputy ministers and UVic faculty—discuss a variety of topics including climate change, healthcare, homelessness, global trade, human rights and privacy.
Attendees also visited information booths staffed by employees from 33 departments and ministries. There were on-the-spot job interviews, job offers and a chance to hear from UVic students who work for the Government of Canada. In all, more than 2,700 students and alumni attended the conference.
“It was amazing to see the range of work that is necessary to run our country,” says Amy VanZant, UVic masters student (French) and one of three co-op students who helped to organize the event. “It was also really neat to meet deputy ministers and assistant deputy ministers. I found it fascinating and inspiring to hear about their career paths and the different steps they took to get to where they are now.”
The next step in the project is to launch an online portal, which will provide students with a general overview of the structure of the federal public service. It will also list the kind of competencies being sought, as well as the types of entry-level jobs being offered. In addition, it will inform federal employers about UVic programs and the different competencies students acquire.
A database of UVic students who have experience in the public service through a co-op or other work placement will be designed. This will allow federal departments to quickly pick from UVic talent. For more information about this pilot program visit www.yourfuturescalling.ca and look for more Government of Canada booths at UVic’s career fair on Feb. 4 and 5.
