Skills and Work in the Emerging Digital Public Service: project objectives and impacts

The objectives of this knowledge synthesis are to translate digital-era imperatives into specific skill and capacity requirements in the public sector, aligning emerging public service needs with newly required digital skills and literacies. We will assess what Canadian governments and its PSE institutions are doing in response, seeking understanding of how governments try to prepare their public service for the digital era and aiming to clarify what special role universities have in preparing students (as future public servants) as the foundation for the future public service. 

Through a review of literature and collating of tacit knowledge with the public service and PSE institutions, we will develop a comprehensive framework for assessments, course developments, collaboration, and dialogue. We will draw on Canadian and international evidence, primarily focused on the public sector but also incorporating cross-sectoral insights. Comparisons and case studies from international jurisdictions will be incorporated and synthesized, demonstrating where research insights from global settings have the potential to inform Canadian responses. Building on these insights, our knowledge mobilization efforts will facilitate collaboration among PSE institutions, governments, civil society, and public servants (both current and future employees) on strengthening the digital capacity of the public service, working together to adapt public service capacities to digital-era imperatives. Developing and maintaining these relationships will require ongoing assessment of government skill and capacity requirements, regular updating of public service training and skill development opportunities, and collaboration with PSE institutions to direct resources toward educating students who are equipped to help build a public service for the digital future.