II|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVERVIEW GETTYThe Daily TelegraphTGOING PUBLIC THEA JOURDAN SAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING OFFERED MORE DYNAMIC CAREER OPPORTUNITIESestimates calculated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. The sector is a vast one which encompasses, among others, the National Health Service, military, local government, schools, social services, the police force and prison service. Although it won’t be immune to the economic downturn, its employees should escape the worst. While the private sector is suffering job losses, the latest figures show that opportunities in the public zone are growing — jobs in the third quarter of 2008 increased by 14,000. Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the public service trade union, explains why this growth is likely to continue: “Public services are needed now more than ever to stabilise our economy, to help people through difficult times and lay the foundations for a better future. In a recession they are the first line of defence.” Not surprisingly, there has been‘‘‘‘he public sector has always attracted people with a strong sense of vocation and desire to give something back to their community. Traditionally, their rewards have been job satisfaction and a supportive working environment rather than huge pay packets and fat bonuses. But now, as the global recession bites, they are seen as the lucky ones. And that’s not just because of their solid prospects and ‘goldplated’ government-backed pensions (nine out of 10 of the 5.7million state workers have guaranteed pensions mainly funded by the taxpayer). Even the salary looks rosier these days — they now earn an average £62 a week more than their privately-employed counterparts, according toThe calibre of recruits has risen sharply, there is a huge amount of talent flooding in and there is a lot of competitionan unprecedented upturn in the number of people applying for public sector jobs, both graduates and workers wishing to transfer to it. JPA Recruitment, which has offices throughout the UK, says that its public sector division is doing booming business, with at least 25 per cent more positions on offer than at this time last year. “We are advertising more than 400 public sector jobs every week, with wages ranging from £7 to £300 an hour,” says James Pritchard, JPA managing director. Charities and voluntary institutions have already noted greater interest from jobseekers and teaching is becoming a popular choice, too, according to the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). “In 2008 there was a 45 per cent increase in interest from people in the private sector in teaching, with many people from areas such as the media, engineering and IT registering with the TDA,” says Graham Holley, the agency’s chief executive. “These are worrying and unstable times and it may be that people are looking to teaching as a secure as well as rewarding career.” The NHS has recorded big increases in the numbers seeking to join its graduate management training scheme, and applications for high-flying civil service jobs are up by around one third. It helps that the public sector has also managed to shake off its dowdy image and is now seen as a dynamic career choice with plenty of scope for advancement, and healthy wages. JPA’s James Pritchard says: “Top executives can easily earn six-figure sums, with performance related bonuses.” The calibre of recruits has also risen sharply in recent years. “There is a huge amount of talent flooding in and there is a lot of competition for the top jobs,” says Pritchard. “Roles are hugely diverse and challenging, plus the public sector offers the kind of stability which is rapidly disappearing elsewhere. “We see people who are hired one month and let go the next in the private sector. The public one doesn’t tend to hire and fire in the same way because it is not so reliant on making profits to survive, so people have more of a sense of continuity and being an important part of the team.” JOBS ONLINE: jobs.telegraph.co.uk/ careers-insiderJUSTTHE JOB! If you want job satisfaction and a better work-life balance, try the public sector first. In a recent poll more than 90 per cent of its workers said they found their job interesting, varied and challenging. The survey, commissioned by the Learning and Skills Council, suggests the sector is no longer playing second fiddle to the corporate world. Given the choice, more than 60 per cent would opt for the public sector and more than 80 per cent would recommend working in it. The findings support a survey of 800 private sector employees conducted by the recruitment consultancy Hays UK last month. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they were more likely to consider a public sector job now compared to a year ago, mostly in the quest for greater security. Others cited the prospect of a better work-life balance and improved perks. “The results of our survey are emphatic,” says Tim Cook, managing director of Hays. “The public sector is seen as more dynamic now. The growing number of private sector firms deriving their business from public sector clients also means there is a blending of cultures and more personnel moving between the two.” The pay gap might not be so clear-cut either. “The public sector package of flexi-time working hours, generous annual leave and a good pension is a huge draw,” says Cook. Not to mention structured pay increases and childcare facilities. “Factor in all the benefits and there is often very little to choose between the two.” Felix Wetzel, group marketing director of Jobsite.co.uk [parent company of publicsectorjobs. net] agrees, and adds another attraction: exciting career prospects. “Alongside job security, many perceive the public sector as having good career progression, allowing you to stay in one area and move upwards, or move horizontally to other departments.” ESME MCAVOY@
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHGREATER REWARDS FOR HELPING OTHERS page 2At your serviceVocation, vocation, vocation WORKING AT THE SHARP END OF THE COMMUNITY page 5BBC IS THE STUDENTS’ FAVOURITE page 8Screen testMILES DONOVANThe Public Sector Thursday, February 19, 2009CAREERS INTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009The D
II|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVERVIEW GETTYThe Daily TelegraphTGOING PUBLIC THEA JOURDAN SAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING OFFERED MORE DYNAMIC CAREER OPPORTUNITIESestimates calculated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| IIIThe Daily TelegraphTRANSFERRING SKILLS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORCROSSING THEDIVIDE SKILLS DEVELOPED IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE ARE IN DEMAND AMONG PUBLIC SERVICES. BY JO CLARKE “I am a psychology graduate specialising in applied psychology, which took
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| VThe Daily TelegraphVOCATIONS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR MILES DONOVAN; WELLCOME TRUST; RCNNURSING’SWEARING THE UNIFORM WITH PRIDENEW he modern nurse would perhaps be barely recognisable to Florence Nightingale — with the profession taking over more
IV|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHDirector of Policy London SE1 Full time Salary – £55,000 to £70,000 (more for an exceptional candidate) Do you share our dedication to supporting the 11 million children young people in England and improving the world in which they live? 11 MILLION l
VI|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTThe Daily TelegraphAOf those trained, 90 per cent are still in the public sectorAfter a rigorous recruitment process, successful graduates complete four six-month placements in departments within their host
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| VIIThe Daily TelegraphTHE NHS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORA DAY IN THE LIFE DR JENNY STEPHENSON IS A GP PRINCIPAL, GP TRAINER AND PRIMARY CARE TRUST DIABETES LEAD WITH SHEFFIELD PCT. HER PRACTICE OVERSEES 10,300 PATIENTS.SEARCHINGFOR NEW BLOOD DANIEL M
VIII|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR MEDIA BBC PICTURESThe Daily TelegraphSARAH MONTAGUE, PRESENTER ON THE TODAY PROGRAMME, ARRIVED AT THE BBC VIA AN UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTE DID YOU START AS A GRADUATE TRAINEE AT THE BBC? No, after studying Biology at Bristol
