Today sees the launch of Guardian Public's new portal, in association with the National School of Government, to promote learning and development across the public sector.
One theme emerges clearly from the debate within public services management at the moment. It is that we need, now more than ever, highly skilled and innovative public sector leaders. As Rod Clark, the principal and chief executive of the National School, points out in his introductory piece on the new site, we want to highlight examples of good practice and stimulate new ideas.
Learning and development of public managers has already changed, and is set to change further. We can expect to see a lot more online learning, more coaching and mentoring, more emphasis on the inter-personal skills needed in leading complex organisations and in managing the relationships and partnerships between different parts of the public sector.
As Clark also points out, getting a slice of a training budget used to be perceived as an inalienable right. In the future, a clear case will have to be made by leaders for not only their own training and development but also that of all their staff.
At the same time, the call for strong, informed leadership of public services grows louder and pressure grows on those running public services.
Knowing where and when to get effective learning and development resources will be an important weapon in all managers' armoury and Public is delighted to be adding to that capacity.
