Working Futures will enable organisations to provide more impactful and targeted support to loyal and productive people. The service combines user-friendly online tools including job search, webinars and research databases, with practical and personalised advice from experienced coaches to help people find work after voluntary redundancy or compulsory change programmes.
Public sector professionals can use Working Futures to seek tailored guidance on topics including assessing current skills and how to develop these, how to market yourself and how to identify new job opportunities, either continuing within the public sector or in the private sector. The service can also assist individuals with preparing for interviews, negotiating a package, and provides tips for making an impact in their new role.
Bev White, Managing Director of Penna Careers Services, said: “We created Working Futures for government employees who have dedicated themselves to providing high quality work with a social purpose, but are now faced with redundancy or a major change programme and are not sure where to take their career next.
“Working Futures is very much about helping people move forward into rewarding careers quickly. Whether that be finding a similar job, or looking at alternatives career paths. For those seeking immediate employment our powerful databases provide access to thousands of vacancies both locally and nationally. Equally, if people are looking at changing direction, Working Futures contains a wealth of alternative advice around different career paths, for example part-time working, portfolio careers, self-employment, retraining or active retirement that public sector workers may not have even considered.
Given that many of those affected have long service within a single organisation or sector, it’s likely they will find the world of job-hunting considerably different than the one they knew previously. Working Futures addresses this fact and helps people navigate online vacancies and networking opportunities as well as how to deal with technology based assessments, Skype interviews and aptitude tests.
Barry Pirie, President of the Public Service People Managers’ Association, added: “We welcome the launch of Working Futures as it has been specifically designed to meet the needs of public servants with career transitioning. I believe it will serve to minimise anxiety for such individuals during times of change, helping them to focus on the future and demonstrating their transferable skills and experience to potential employers, in order secure a new and engaging role.”