ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL TO THE 16TH PUBLIC SECTOR TRAINERS’ FORUM (PSTF) CONFERENCE
DATE: 08 October 2012 (Monday)
TIME: 09h15 – 09h25
VENUE: Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng
TITLE: Theme, objectives and contribution of PSTF to HRD Objectives
AUDIENCE PROFILE:
• Chairperson of the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee
• The Acting Premier of the Gauteng Province, Ms Lentheng Mekgwe
• Heads of the MPSA Portfolio (DGs & CEOs)
• Senior Managers in various government departments
• Members from the structures of the HRD Council-SA
• Invited guests
• Trainers from all nine provinces, national departments; local government, sectoral colleges (e.g. SAPS, Defence, Health and Education),
• HRD Managers in all government departments and private organisations,
• Academics, researchers and students in HRD and Public Administration,
• Business Leaders from different sectors
• Leaders of all Organised Labour Federations
• PSTF Advisory Committee Members
• Ladies and gentlemen
• All protocol observed
Conference Theme and Objectives
Programme Director, my short address is on the conference theme and objectives as well as the contribution of the PSTF to HRD objectives. In line with the PSTF tradition of responding to recent developments in the HRD domain, the 16th PSTF conference opens a conversation on the essence of the professionalization of the Public Service – which is a topical issue.
The theme “Professionalising the Public Service through Human Resource Development” resonates with the call of the National Development Plan (Vision 2030) to professionalize the public service as one of the pre-requisites for building a capable state which will take the country on a developmental trajectory.
The National Development Plan recognises that a development-oriented and professional Public Service will intensify the delivery of high quality public services in the country. It also recognizes the fundamental priority of addressing the deficit in skills, poor performance and lack of professionalism currently affecting some areas of the public service.
At this conference, the notion of professionalising the public service will be debated from different viewpoints (which may later converge to a common South African view):
ü Researchers & academics (local, regional and international)
ü Practitioners in the HRD field
ü Partners, including civil society
ü Institutions from diverse backgrounds
To leverage learning opportunities and enrich discussions on this important topic, we have conceptualized the conference objectives and aligned papers, presentations and panel discussions to deliver on the following objectives:
ü HRD as a strategic enabler for a Professional Public Service
ü HRD at the centre of Innovation for Service Delivery
ü Global trends in relation to Human Resource Development
The Contribution of PSTF to HRD Objectives
Programme Director, the PSTF contribution to HRD objectives can be located in its reconfiguration and positioning to respond to discourse on current HRD challenges and emerging trends and perspectives (local, regional and international) as evident in:
ü The importance of timing for this conference in terms of allowing robust debates and engagements on what professionalization of the public service is, provides an example of the PSTF relevance and responsiveness;
ü The participation of regional and international speakers (currently from Ghana , the United Kingdom, India and Brazil) adds to the academic standing of the PSTF and provides good background information and which enhances a comparative approach to the professionalization of the Public Service;
ü The PSTF annual conference programme serves as a platform to interrogate HRD implementation challenges both from HRD Council SA and the Public Service (DPSA) perspectives;
ü The 16th PSTF Conference will launch the PSTF Achievers Awards for the first time – a system of recognising excellence that is inclusive of the broader trainer community in the country;
ü The 16th PSTF Conference has historical significance in that it will be a launching pad for the Minister to set the tone and agenda for the next three years on the professionalisation of the Public Service by inaugurating the PSTF Advisory Committee - which represents, Higher Education, FET sector, labour, the youth development agency, national, provincial and local government stakeholders; and
ü The PSTF has traditionally played a role in Creating Strategic Partnerships with Regional and Global Partners. Our colleagues from AMDIN participate in the annual PSTF conferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I wish to emphasize the opportune nature of this discussion on the professionalization of the public service. Indeed, HRD plays a huge role in building state capacity to deliver on services. For South Africa to successfully transform itself into a developmental state that can enable a better quality of life for all its citizens, the Government requires a Public Service cadre who can demonstrate developmental values, zeal, knowledge, skills and commitment to serving the ordinary citizens of South Africa.
We need more platforms like PSTF.
Thank You
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