Graduate Recruitment Strategy is announced

Treasury Board President Anna Thistle and Public Service Commission Chair and CEO Fonse Faour announced that additional funding has been secured to increase the number of graduate recruits to 15 annually, commencing in 2000-2001. The continuation of the Graduate Recruitment Program was announced in last week�s provincial budget as part of a broader initiative aimed at the development of the public service.

For the fiscal year of 1999-2000, the Public Service Commission received funding to recruit five recent graduates from recognized post-secondary institutions within the province. The Graduate Recruitment Program will be an ongoing initiative of the provincial government. Existing staff and other resources will be used to support the program. Graduates will be hired into entry-level, unclassified, non-bargaining positions and rotate through at least four work assignments over a two-year period. The work assignments will provide valuable experience for graduates, as well as benefit government. Following successful program completion, graduates will be given eligibility status to apply for positions within the public service.

"We are delighted to have these five bright, young men and women who have chosen the public service as their employer of choice. They represent the best candidates selected from over 500 applicants," said Minister Thistle. "We are looking forward to this mutually beneficial relationship, and we are anxious for the next graduates to begin their assignments."

This new program is part of a government-wide initiative to ensure the public service can respond to significant upcoming demographic change. Over the past several years, new resources have increased the level of training and development activities for all employees. This new program will complement the current organization, and bring young graduates into the public service.

"Our aim is to build on the current capacity of our organization. After getting our financial house in order, we are now experiencing a period of stability within the public service. This program, in conjunction with our developmental activities for our current employees, will ensure that our public service can lead us well into the future," said Fonse Faour, Chair and CEO of the Public Service Commission.

As one of the strategies under the Public Service Reform initiative, the Graduate Recruitment Program will inform potential recruits that the public service offers a broad spectrum of career choices and developmental activities, and that it supports youth employment and opportunity by introducing new and fresh perspectives into the system.

Selection of candidates for the program is conducted by the Public Service Commission. After a comprehensive, objective process, the first five individuals began their internships in various assignments throughout government during the month of March.

Media contact:

Melony O�Neill, Communications, Public Service Commission, (709) 729-2587
David Wells, Communications, Treasury Board, (709) 729-6830.

2000 03 28                                         11:20 a.m.