The public service as an attractive career opportunity

Abstract

The Public Service of Malta is the largest employer on the Maltese islands. Over the last three decades the role of the Public Service has changed drastically. There are various elements which are considered as being the driving forces behind this change, such as the influx of technology usage which has left its influence over how government services are delivered. The transformational role of government has brought with it the need for a more transparent, credible, accountable and efficient outputs; hence increasing the need of a better equipped workforce. The scope of this research study is to explore the interest and perception of choosing a career path within the Public Service amongst Under-graduate students within the University of Malta. The triangulation approach was the technique used for this research which included the identification of relevant career theories and the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. This research reveals that only 34.7% aspire towards a career within the Public Service however 70.3% said that they would do so if given the opportunity. There is a contrast between what the University of Malta students look for in a career and what the Maltese Public Service can offer. Whilst the Public Service of Malta is focusing on five major elements, mainly: Family Friendly Measures, Versatility, Transparency, Career Development and the aspect of the Model Employer, respondents are prioritising their own personal gratification together with a lucrative remuneration package as the benchmark of their future career.