More to Public Sector Jobs Than Wages

For the first time major UK Public Sector organisations joined together to promote the jobs and careers they offer in the inaugural Public Sector Jobs Week from 7th February 2005. The aim was to provide a launch-pad to spotlight jobs that are a vital part of the infrastructure of our society but whose attraction is often only judged in terms of salary or job title.

Andreas Ghosh, who chairs the SOCPO Talent Management Group and is Head of Personnel & Development at the London Borough of Lewisham explains ëWhilst job titles provide a headline they often fail to convey what rewards are involved. For example those working in caring and support roles generally get a great deal more out of their work than a wage. Like other employers we want to attract talent and even though we may not always be able to offer large salaries we can usually provide greater job satisfaction and other benefits than the private sector. We want to promote these attractions to job seekersí.

The Society of Personnel Officers (SOCPO), NHS Employers and Employersí Organisation for Local Government (EO), between them employing over 5 million people, set out to draw attention to the variety of roles which exist in the public sector during the week of talks and newspaper articles. Ghosh is pleased with the response so far saying ëOur launch Conference was oversubscribed and by the end of February we achieved wide editorial coverage in the press. The success of the week would not have been possible without the support and interest of the media in using it as an importance recruitment focus. We look forward to making the event bigger and better in 2006.í

The Cabinet Office reflected on Public Sector Jobs Week as one which provided ëa great opportunity to recognise the range of interesting and rewarding careers on offer within the public services and to celebrate the values and commitment of those working in themí.

For more information contact Andreas Ghosh at andreas.ghosh@lewisham.gov.uk