 Brant Popp (left), UVic’s executive in residence for the Government of Canada, chats with student Jeff MacDonald who is helping him implement the pilot project. Photo: Robie Liscomb.The University of Victoria and the Government of Canada have partnered in a unique pilot project aimed at bringing more university graduates into the public service.
Currently, 66 per cent of the federal public service is over 40 years of age. By 2012, over 25 per cent of today’s public service can retire, including almost half those in executive level positions. Faced with this challenge, UVic and the federal government have signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver on-campus career and learning events that will give university students and graduates an insight into the diversity of opportunities in the public service.
“With this pilot project, the Government of Canada is taking a fresh new approach to on-campus recruitment,” says Oryssia Lennie, Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification Canada and the deputy minister in charge of strengthening the linkage between the public service and UVic. “By working with the University of Victoria, we’ll have the chance to show BC students how they can make important contributions to Canada’s future through a wide range of career choices in the public service.”
“The University of Victoria is committed to ensuring our students gain a solid education, so that they are prepared to perform on the world stage,” says UVic President David Turpin. “The knowledge, insights and skills a UVic education provides are great preparation for public service, which is why we are so excited about this pilot project with the Government of Canada.”
The program starts with the launch of a web portal and career conference this fall. UVic will also develop and implement a questionnaire to gauge awareness and determine what drives students’ career interests. These initiatives will test new federal approaches for on-campus recruiting and put the focus on interviewing and hiring students from BC. The program will provide an opportunity for other post-secondary institutions across the country to learn from the UVic experience. The agreement will be in effect until June 30, 2009.
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