The Public Sector Learning Framework: inspiring leadership for transformation
THE MANAGEMENT Institute for National Development (MIND), the Government of Jamaica’s publicsector learning and development institute, on February 1, 2019, marked 25 years of Building Capability for Public Service Excellence. The year also marked MIND’s 20th anniversary as an agency of the office of the Cabinet, Government of Jamaica (GOJ). Over the past two decades, MIND has grown and blossomed in support of the vision for a transformed public sector, reflecting many milestones from 1994 to 2019.
Standing tall among MIND’s achievements is its conceptualisation of the Public Sector Learning Framework (PSLF). The PSLF now represents the overarching framework for establishing the systems, policies, tools, and procedures that will transform the approach to publicsector learning and development, consequent on Cabinet taking the decision in May 2018 for the development and implementation of the eight elements of the framework. The implementation of the PSLF, therefore, reinforces the commitment of the GOJ to create a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and strategic investment in human capital development and the strengthening of public-sector capability to effectively deliver services to the Jamaican citizenry.
MIND is identified with the Cabinet Office in the MediumTerm Socio-Economic Policy Framework as the responsible entity for the institutionalisation of the PSLF. The agency has been leading the development of the PSLF, with special emphasis on the following elements, which are being developed and implemented in phases:
• Competency framework
• Professional pathways
• Learning and development policy
• Orientation and reorientation programmes
• Learning-needs analysis
• Learning pathways
• Information and communication technology
• Leadership development. The PSLF is holistic and comprehensive and represents a whole-government approach that is needed to build efficient and effective public-sector organisations that are capable of contributing to the process of sustainable national development. At the core of the framework is the recognition that people are the public service’s most valuable asset, and it is the commitment and capabilities of people that underpin the ability of the public sector to deliver best value public goods and services to the nation as a whole.
MIND continues to work closely with the Office of the Cabinet, Strategic Human Resource Management Division (Ministry of Finance and the Public Service) and other partners to realise the successful implementation of the PSLF towards “A dynamic public service that is responsive to the changing needs of the Jamaican society and delivers the professionalism, performance, and service excellence that bring to life the national vision for Jamaica”.