What We Do
Talent Management
Talent Management Group
The regional Talent Management Group consisting of representatives from the 11 Councils/NIHE continue to meet quarterly to oversee the implementation of the Talent Management Strategy and Action Plan with support from Public Services People Management Association (PPMA) members.
Talent Management Strategy and Action Plan 2023 - 2025
This Talent Management Strategy has been developed in partnership with key stakeholders in local government.
The Talent Management Strategy provides a framework for workforce development and supports individual Councils/NIHE in achieving their corporate vision and objectives. It is a comprehensive approach to integrating all talent management activity in supporting delivery of objectives.
Objective of the Talent Management Strategy
‘To ensure all employees have the right skills to embrace significant organisational change, through embedding a culture of ownership, empowerment and decision making at all levels of the organ.’
Local Government will have:
- Flexible, resilient individuals who are ready for the next challenge.
- A sector that is an Employer of Choice for talented individuals.
- Employees who are not only skilled for the present but for the future.
- A sector that can respond quickly, effectively and fairly to changing circumstances.
BOOST Mentoring Programme
In November 2023 a Boost Mentoring programme for Tier 4/5 Officers was rolled out to individual Councils/NIHE, looking for mentees and suitable mentors from within Councils/NIHE and across local government. Mentors were selected from another function area and were slightly ahead of the mentee in their career. This programme ran for a 12-month period and created 19 partnerships.
The Rationale for a Mentoring Programme
Mentoring is a powerful method of professional development; it can benefit individuals across all job roles and functions, within any department or discipline. Mentoring skills can also be useful in many day-to-day work interactions, so employees do not have to be engaged in a formal mentoring arrangement to benefit from the information here.
Pilot Programme
The Commission in partnership with SOLACE NI and PPMA recognise the need to continually explore innovative approaches to address talent management challenges in the local government.
A pilot programme was offered out to individual Councils/NIHE to assist on the following talent management themes.
- Workforce Planning
- Succession Planning
- Leadership Development
The following pilots were carried out:
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
- Succession Planning
- Workforce Planning
Ards and North Down Borough Council
- Succession Planning
- Workforce Planning
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
- Leadership Development
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
- Leadership Development
Talent Management Academic Research Project
To support the implementation of the regional Talent Management Strategy the Commission is working in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) and linked to CIPD to undertake academic research to explore and analyse talent management approaches within local councils in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The research will be undertaken by academics from the University of Sunderland.
The research aims to provide insights into current practices, identify challenges, and propose recommendations to enhance talent management strategies within local councils.
Further information to follow on the project once completed.