Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Mr Parmesh Chand says more than $14million will be utilized for Government Scholarships and Training, under the Public Service Commission and Multi-Ethnic Affairs Scholarship Program in 2011.
This fund will be used for the education of more than 1,000 new students, and the same number of continuing students in various local and overseas institutions.
Mr Chand said that both programmes of funding are now under PSC following the devolution of the Department of Multi Ethnic Affairs announced as part of the 2011 Budget.
He said when advertisements are placed this year for next year’s scholarships programme, there will be a completely new set of criteria in place as required by virtue of principles enshrined in the People’s Charter for Change, Peace & Progress and the Roadmap for Sustainable Economic Development & Democracy.
At this point in time, 35 students are studying in various universities in Australia and New Zealand, under the PSC Scholarship program. These students will continue their programs in 2011.
Mr Chand stated that one of the major priorities of Government, at this point in time, is capacity building.
For this reason, the Commission is committed to ensuring that all available resources are prudently utilized to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of the civil service, as well as the private sector.
All Government scholarships target the manpower needs of the nation as a whole, and for this reason, scholarships are awarded to both civil servants and those in the private sector.
Through a national survey that is conducted by the Ministry of National Planning, the human resource needs of the nation are identified, and once this is confirmed, scholarships are awarded accordingly.
In addition to the long-term scholarship awards, the Commission also coordinates training programs that are funded by bilateral partners.
Mr Chand stated that under the Public Service Act, PSC is vested with the authority and responsibility for training. In this regards, the improvement of employee performance has become one of Government’s major priorities in civil service reforms.
This is in accordance with the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio Economic Development 2009-2014, which calls for the reorganization of public sector training based on capacity needs.
Mr Chand emphasised that a professional, committed and ethical workforce can only be achieved through on-going capacity building, and for this reason, a supportive training culture is encouraged, so that the training needs of the nation can be effectively addressed.
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