Elsewhere in the public sector…

…in Birmingham and Solihull, the public sector has not traditionally been the employer of choice, especially for young people and those from ethnic minorities.

In 2003, a group of public service organisations came together to discuss ways of promoting employment in the public sector. The 'Public Service Compact' was launched a year later with 12 member organisations from across the West Midlands. It now includes 34 organisations, with over 100,000 employees from across the public service spectrum. Members have to sign up to a charter that includes 10 core principles, as well as an overarching vision to make the sector "an employer of first choice for those seeking job satisfaction and career development". The Compact is run by a team of 5 people, and is overseen by the strategic core group.

The Compact has overseen many initiatives, for example, middle managers from across the member organisations can take a diploma in public sector leadership. Managers have also taken part in an initiative called "Link Up And Learn", where employees develop their skills by shadowing senior people in other organisations.

To find out more go to: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=7012253