Provincial Government and Memorial University partner to launch Public 
Sector Leadership Development Program

A new initiative in organizational development for Newfoundland and Labrador's public service was announced today at Memorial University in St. John's.

The Public Sector Leadership and Management Development Program, developed cooperatively by Memorial University and both the federal and provincial governments, is designed to support leadership and management skills development for federal and provincial public sector employees. 

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, applauded the launch. "Government is very pleased to see this initiative come to fruition," said the minister. "It is an excellent example of government and the academic community working together to develop educational initiatives that address the future needs of our public service."

The program will complement the provincial government's organizational learning and leadership capacity initiatives currently delivered in a workplace setting through government's Centre for Learning and Development. It will offer 11 core modules and three non-core modules addressing current leadership and management theories and practices. The modules, varying in length between one and three days, are to be delivered by the Centre for Management Development at Memorial University's Faculty of Business Administration.

"Government places particular emphasis on development of public service leadership and management as we progress into the new working environments of the 21st century," observed Minister Aylward. "We will continue to work with our own human resources personnel and with partners in our post-secondary institutions to enhance public sector learning opportunities. Newfoundland and Labrador needs, deserves and will continue to have a strong public service."

Media contact: Deirdre Robinson Greene, Communications, (709) 729-0084.

2001 10 30                            4:35 p.m.