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20 Mar 2008

Our priority is customer service - Robinson

Developing people is the key to delivering better public services, Finance Minister, Rt. Hon Peter Robinson MP MLA, said today.
Speaking at an event to celebrate the success of the Civil Service Essential Skills programme, Mr Robinson also underlined the increasing expectation for efficiency and customer service in public service delivery.  He said:
“In the 21st century our customers, whether they be medical patients, parents, pupils, or ratepayers – expect accessible and responsive public services. They want access to information and service provision in a way that blends with their busy lives. Reform of our public services is therefore at the top of my agenda.
“Acquiring and updating skills is vital in today’s world and vital to the work of the devolved government in making life better for everybody in Northern Ireland.  We need to develop our people to work in new and different ways to deliver those reforms.”
The training programme was supported and co-funded by Government Skills, the Sector Skills Council for central government and the Department of Employment and Learning.
The Minister congratulated those who participated in the Essential Skills programme and endorsed the initiative.  He said:
“The Essential Skills pilot has been a significant success and has opened up new opportunities and career paths.  
“It is, without doubt, a model of how we can work together in partnership to equip people with the skills they need in a changing Civil Service.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

  1. The Minister of Finance & Personnel was speaking at an event in Belfast to celebrate the success of Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) Support Grade Staff who participated in a pilot Essential Skills (ES) programme.
  2. The NICS is undergoing considerable reform to change service delivery for the better and provide more efficient public services across Northern Ireland. Workplace 2010 is part of this reform process and as a result, a number of Civil Service buildings will transfer to the private sector for upgrading and maintaining. While becoming more efficient makes sound financial sense, this created surplus staff and impacted directly on 300 messengers and support grades who were employed in estate and property related work.
  3. Over three quarters of the 300 staff involved have applied to transfer to administrative jobs, and the feedback to date has been very positive. More than 90% of those who participated in the interview skills training were successful at lateral transfer interview.
  4. Photographs of the event are available from Stanley Matchett Photography on 078 6086 8966 or mail@stanleymatchett.co.uk
  5. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7644 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.