Mr. Speaker, to achieve the vision and goals of the 17th Legislative
Assembly and the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have, and require, employees who see challenges as opportunities, employees who value lifelong learning and employees who are engaged in becoming strong, capable leaders. To support employee learning, I am pleased to advise the Department of Human Resources has three new learning and development initiatives planned for 2014-15.
The first initiative is a Learning and Development Policy. This policy highlights that learning and development opportunities should be available to all employees consistent with their job functions, career aspirations and with learning and development plans undertaken as part of the performance appraisal process. It also identifies that some training, such as workplace safety, is mandatory for employees to reduce the government’s legal or financial risk.
The second initiative is a revised Leadership Development Program. This program was previously offered through a partnership with the University of Alberta. I am pleased to confirm that this partnership is again in place.
The Leadership Development Program continues to provide an academic perspective on leadership in the public service and incorporates competencies that are required in the GNWT workplace. A competency is a characteristic which enables people to deliver superior performance in a given job, role, or situation; they help focus on the characteristics that enable employees to consistently achieve high standards of performance. This program assists the GNWT in workforce planning by providing managers with opportunities to further enhance their existing management competencies and to prepare them for future roles and advancement within the public service.
The third initiative is the introduction of modules in a management training series. The modules feature a mix of mandatory and elective courses specific to the GNWT’s legislative, policy, financial and human resources framework. They also focus on skills needed to perform management duties. This training ensures managers have a consistent knowledge base regarding the GNWT framework, regardless of their occupational area. GNWT employees who are technical experts in their field will deliver the sessions.
Mr. Speaker, these learning and development initiatives help the GNWT fulfill its commitment made in 20/20: A Brilliant North – NWT Public Service Strategic Plan to value organizational and individual learning and develop employees to
succeed in leadership roles and contribute to the Assembly’s goal of an effective and efficient government. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
