Against the backdrop of the gradual resumption of on-site working, the issue for government departments is to organise and buttress their employees’ return after several weeks of lockdown. The purpose of the guide, which was prepared by the network of HR organisation and change management advisers, is to enable local managers to support their teams during this crucial transition stage.

Expanding leadership skills is an imperative for the federal civil service. Managers and executives have to take regular training in one of the Federal Executive Institutes. To allow everyone to pinpoint their development needs, an online assessment tool is available. As an extension of the ad hoc framework, it comprises six assessment modules with situation-based judgment questions and self-rating questions.

Lifting digital expertise will help ensure the success of the transformation. To this end, the government has decided to develop a Digital Professional Stream which will cover, in time, around 150 digital roles and professions, at all hierarchical levels, and will allow for true career development. Members of the APS are being called on to get involved so that the required profiles can be selected.