How can Public Administration professionals maintain their skills?

Public administration is a dynamic and diverse field that requires professionals to keep up with the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the public sector. Whether you work in government, non-profit, or private organizations, you need to maintain your skills to deliver effective and efficient services to the public. In this article, we will share some tips on how you can keep your skills sharp and relevant in public administration.

1 Identify your learning goals

The first step to maintain your skills is to identify your learning goals and objectives. What are the skills, knowledge, and competencies that you need or want to improve in your current or future role? What are the gaps or areas of improvement that you have identified in your performance or feedback? What are the emerging or in-demand skills that you need to stay competitive and innovative in public administration? By answering these questions, you can set clear and realistic goals for your professional development.

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Bishoy Bassily

Educator|Instigator|Strategist|Government Affairs|Global Public Policy|STEM Policy Expert|Certified AI Ethics|AI Governance|Digital Disruption|Bioethicist|Neuro-AI|Deep Learning|Sustainability|Polyglot|L&D Consultant
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I have always believed that the only way of success is the way of continuous and relentless pursuit of knowledge and lifelong learning. In this context, I truly believe that in order to maintain competitive advantage and create a meaningful impact in the field of Public Administration/Public Sector, one must remember that professional development (whether Upskilling or Reskilling) is an ongoing process and can be achieved by adopting various strategies such as: Skill-Specific & Targeted Training including Soft Skills Development, Feedback & Regular Evaluation, Online Learning Platforms, Staying adaptable & Tech-savvy, Networking & Collaboration through mentorship, cross-training, attend workshops & conferences & Team-Project Participation.

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2 Choose your learning methods

Choosing the right learning methods for your goals, preferences, and resources is the next step in public administration. Formal education, such as degree, diploma, certificate, or short course programs, can provide you with academic credentials, theoretical knowledge, and practical skills. Additionally, online learning offers a variety of courses, webinars, podcasts, videos, and articles to learn at your own pace and budget. On-the-job learning from daily work activities can help you apply your skills in real-life situations. Professional development through workshops, seminars, conferences, or events can keep you updated on knowledge, skills, and trends in public administration. Finally, mentoring or coaching from colleagues or supervisors can provide feedback and collaboration opportunities.

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Harald Rainer
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There are a lot of options in Austria to improve the skills and „the right of education/training“ is often fixed in the specific law, that makes it easier for an employee in public administration to continue training during career (e.g. § 37b Gemeinde-Vertragsbedienstetengesetz 2001)

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3 Evaluate your learning outcomes

To evaluate your learning outcomes and progress, you should consider self-assessment, feedback, and certification. Self-assessment can include reflecting on your learning process, outcomes, and challenges. You can also use tools like portfolios, journals, logs, or checklists to document your learning achievements, feedback, and areas of improvement. Asking for feedback from peers, supervisors, clients, or stakeholders on your skills, performance, and results is another way to evaluate your learning outcomes. You can use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to collect and analyze feedback data. Obtaining a certification or credential that validates your skills and competencies in public administration is also an option. Exams, assessments, or projects are some of the tools available to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. In conclusion, maintaining your skills in public administration is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort.

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4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can Public Administration professionals maintain their skills?

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1 Identify your learning goals

2 Choose your learning methods

3 Evaluate your learning outcomes

4 Here’s what else to consider

Public Administration

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