The committee encouraged the department to make efforts to maintain and recruit expertise. This issue has been an ongoing committee concern. Qualified staff are required to maintain and deliver many essential programs and services. However, given better competitive packages from the private sector, a strong southern economy and fiscal restraint, the recruitment and retention of qualified staff will continue to be a significant concern of this department and government.
Committee members and the department were concerned that many senior staff at the Department of Transportation will soon retire. Middle management is capable of replacing the senior staff, however the problem arises with the replacement of some middle management and entry level positions with new graduates, especially in light of our current recruitment and retention problems.
The committee added that some positions might be filled by summer students, who may be fully qualified later to replace some department positions. Committee members were assured that the department plans to hire between 20 and 25 summer students this calendar year.