INTRODUCTION
Kamloops
“As a member of the BC Public Service, I do solemnly swear that I will loyally serve the people of British Columbia through their democratically elected government.”
- BC Public Service Oath of Employment
This is why we’re here. This is what sets us apart from every other employer in the province. This is the commitment we make as public servants. The BC Public Service exists to serve the needs of more than five million British Columbians through a wider and more diverse set of programs and services than any other organization in the province. As one of the pillars of the executive branch of government, we provide an enduring thread of continuity in times of change. At the same time, we are constantly evolving in response to the needs of the public, the priorities of their government, and the shifting social and economic dynamics of the province and the world. We are a source of stability, while also helping to shape the future.
The corporate plan for the BC Public Service has always been about precisely that: how do we ensure the public service continues to adapt to our changing world so we can continue to serve the needs of citizens in pursuing their aspirations for themselves, their families and their communities? This edition of the plan maintains that course, continuing to set the strategic vision and guiding direction for the BC Public Service as it continues to evolve.
As you will see from the updated demographic profile included in this plan, the public service workforce is in the midst of a long-anticipated generational shift. This presents some profound issues as we lose the experience and expertise of thousands of dedicated, committed and long-serving employees now entering retirement. But it also creates a unique window of opportunity to refresh and renew the culture of the public service with the influx of a new generation and the continued growth and development of those who still have long careers ahead of them.
Navigating this transition isn’t just important for us internally. It’s important for the good of the province. Every effort we make to be a better employer is, above all else, because we know that makes us a better public service that is better able to serve British Columbians. Our ability to recruit, retain and develop a diverse, inclusive and professional public service underpins everything we do. At the same time, rethinking how we do our work also requires us to rethink the talent, skillsets and mindsets the public service needs to attract and develop.
Being a better public service requires us to be a more agile and responsive organization. We are expected to solve more complex problems than ever, against a backdrop of a society where everything moves faster and we are expected to keep pace. The tension between a public service designed to be thoughtful and deliberative in solving difficult problems and the expectation of quick and simple solutions is up to us to manage. Yet, while we pursue innovation and adapt to our changing context, we can’t lose sight of the true understanding of what it means to be a public servant.
The foundational purpose of serving the public interest has not and will not change. Ensuring our shared understanding of that purpose is more important than ever. With the significant influx of new talent in recent years, in a very real and tangible way the public service is being renewed. It is incumbent on us to ensure all those new public servants clearly understand the purpose, role and values of the public service.
Individually, we have the privilege of pursuing our varied and rewarding careers because the people of B.C. trust us to keep our commitment to put them first. Collectively, we are stronger as an organization when we strive to remember that every step we take must somehow improve life for the people we each pledged to serve.
Themes
With all these factors in mind, this edition of the corporate plan is built around three themes outlining the type of public service we are striving to be for British Columbians:
Trusted
A highly professional institution trusted by citizens, elected government and its employees.
Talented
An inclusive employer that attracts, develops and retains the people we need to meet the current and future needs and expectations of British Columbians and their government.
Modern
An organization with the policies, practices and tools needed to effectively and nimbly respond to the evolving needs of the province and its people.
Under each of these themes, you will find a series of commitments we will pursue over the next three years to ensure we are and remain the trusted, talented and modern public service British Columbians expect and deserve.