From private to public: building a talent pipeline for government technology

Dorothy Eng
Executive DirectorCode for Canada
Jonathan Craft
Associate Professor University of TorontoFounding Director of Policy Ready
Jane Laughton
Head of TalentOntario Digital Service
04-11-2021 13.20 - 14.00

Executive TrackChannel 5Presentation

Many governments have begun putting in place processes to change the cultures, practices, and principles of government to embrace digital ways of working. But is it enough?

To be digital, governments have to go beyond outsourcing technology projects and invest in building in-house talent with the right mix of digital skills and competencies to facilitate the work. However, governments are faced with a skills gap. Private sector competition and outdated hiring practices often create a persistent challenge in recruiting and retaining talented, digital-ready staff.

How can governments successfully reach people with the multidisciplinary skills needed to drive digital transformation? This chain reaction panel will feature experts in academia, non-profit, and government to provide insights on what draws digital talent to public service and share best practices for government recruitment and retention.