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 me into human resources. My early career was in engineering, but the majority of my career has been in financial services,” she says. “I was ready for a change and the most engaging things for me were the importance and relevance of the work the civil service does, and the impact thatMproviding excellence in public service can have on people’s lives.” Her advice to anyone considering a move into the public sector is to find out all you can about the job you are considering. Speak to recruiters and those who have made the transition for an insider’s point of view. Experience is also essential, says Tim Cook, managing director of recruitment company Hays. “If you don’t have any experience in the public sector, consider doing‘‘any skills acquired in the private sector are highly valued in the public sphere, and people trying to make the switch are advised to emphasise assets such as commercial aptitude, and leadership and people skills. “There’s a perception that anyone coming from a private sector background will know all about efficiency, so it’s important to be able to convey that,” says Mike Turner, of Nigel Wright Recruitment. “The public sector may not be as concerned with profit, but areas like the NHS have become more businesslike.” The Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG) is an organisation that brings business and Whitehall together through secondment programmes and cross-sector leadership training. “We help senior people from the private sector get a taste of the public sector, and if they want to make the move we can guide them towards nonexecutive roles on agency and government boards,” says Fiona Alldridge, interim chief executive of WIG. One person who switched is Shirley Pointer, human resources director and a board member at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). She joined the Department of Trade and Industry from the private sector four years ago and moved to the DIUS on its formation in 2007.‘‘If you don’t have any experience consider unpaid work — it speaks volumes about your commitmentunpaid work — it speaks volumes about your commitment and makes you stand out from the competition.” Applying for a job in the public sector is the same as in any other sector; the days of sitting civil service exams are long gone. The service also has a fast track programme in which the most talented graduates — at any stage of their career — can join an intensive scheme that gives future leaders experience of work across government. Traditionally, public sector workers earned less than their counterparts, but new figures from the Office for National Statistics show a reversal. Julian Rogan, 58, from West Yorkshire, was an automotive equipment manager before joining his local council in 2004 and taking a pay cut of £10,000 per year. Having worked his way up from an apprenticeship during his teens, in his early fifties he wanted to gain a formal qualification, so he took an MBA with the Open University while continuing to work. “I could see there were fewer and fewer opportunities in the industry I worked in and I wanted to see what else I could do,” says Rogan. “After completing the MBA I applied for a job with my local council as a temporary information officer, dealing with access to information, such as the Freedom of Information Act and the re-use of public sector information. “ Since then, he has been made principal information officer and his promotion means he earns as much as he did previously.WORKING WITH DINOSAURS GABRIELLE COLLETT-WHITE MEETS A FORMER HEALTH CLUB EMPLOYEE WHO HAS FOUND A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AS PROJECT MANAGER AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM s the last visitors are ushered out and the lights dim, an eerie silence falls through the halls of the Natural History Museum in London. Suddenly the stillness is pierced by the roar of a Tyrannosaurus Rex... Does this sound like a Hollywood movie? In fact, it’s not so far from the truth for SherriLouise Paull, 29, who is a project manager at the museum and often works there late into the evening. The night-time creaks and groans, and more especially the sound effects from exhibits, can be spooky, and took some getting used to. “Being alone in the building after dark was a little bit freaky at first but I’ve worked here for more than five years now and I know what to expect,” says Paull. After taking a degree in sport and business, Paull worked as aAservice manager in a health club before becoming a duty manager at the museum, which is a NonDepartmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Two years later she moved into the project management department and has never looked back. “I oversee projects ranging from the installation of the ice rink at Christmas to the setting up of new exhibits. It is a high-pressure job — I have to make sure the projects are completed on time and on budget, and to the high standard the museum expects, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.” The Natural History Museum looks after about 70 million specimens, attracts more than three million visitors every year and employs around 900 staff. “I work with an amazing variety of people from scientists to designers and lightingtechnicians,” says Paull. “It is vital to be good at communicating with different people — for me that is one of the most exciting aspects of the job.” Recently Paull oversaw the move of the Darwin Statue to the museum’s Central Hall for the 200th anniversary of the naturalist’s birth, working 12-hour shifts to get the statue in place on time and budget without causing too much disruption to the general public. “It has been amazing to beinvolved with the Darwin celebrations — when I see the news coverage and programmes on television I feel really proud that I have played a part in it all.” After five years at the museum, Paull cannot see herself working outside the publicMuseum peace: the Darwin statue and Central Hall, topsector. “I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I am giving something back. It is thrilling to see children and grown-ups alike visiting the museum, learning and having a great time.” Paull has recently taken the Association of Project Management Professional course, which has provided her with an internationally recognised qualification that she hopes will allow her to progress in her career. “I’d like to stay on at the Natural History Museum and take on bigger and more complex projects,” she says. “I still have much to learn but I am looking forward to whatever challenges come my way.” Someone joining the project management team can expect a starting salary in the region of £30,000.
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
