We are now in an era in which we have to accommodate and adapt to the changing needs of the citizens, and these needs are coming in waves fuelled by a more educated, aware and politically and technologically savvy population
by | Rushdi Abdul Rahim | rushdi@might.org.my
Dear Readers.
It brings me great satisfaction to bring you another edition of our myForesight® magazine and I believe it is not too late to wish you Happy New Year. I sincerely hope that in ushering the New Year, it will be much better than the one we faced in 2014.
We here in myForesight® start our work with renewed vigor in trying to make the best of the year ahead. This also applies for me personally as well as my children; the eldest into his first year in secondary school while the youngest is into his second year in primary school. Even early in the year, their homework is already piling up. Anyway, as I sat down watching my children doing their homework, I asked my youngest son what is his ambition? He rambles about the jobs and occupations that he is familiar of and what interests him. As I listened to him, I wonder what would be the perfect future of work? What are the drivers, issues and challenges?
The changing nature of work has enormous implications in how we structure organizations, manage people, and design workplaces. Some organizations are already leveraging the new ways of working; others are struggling to understand what the future means. In some developed countries this has included the move of empowering people by fostering the contributory capacities that it can bring to the improvement of an individual, family, organization and society.
Globalization, technology, current geopolitical environment and demographic challenges have become more volatile. Everything is now more dynamic; from views to values and attitudes, becoming more diverse particularly those of the younger generation. Managing work and talent in today’s world has therefore become more challenging? These were the main factors considered when The Malaysian Public Service (JPA) and MIGHT through myForesight® embarked on the initiative “the Future of Malaysian Public Service”. JPA as the administrative arm of the government has a crucial role to play in facilitating the nation’s journey toward 2020 and beyond.
We are now in an era in which we have to accommodate and adapt to the changing needs of the citizens, and these needs are coming in waves fuelled by a more educated, aware and politically and technologically savvy population. As the population becomes more technologically savvy, so must the public service. Different modes of service delivery, and in particular those that leverage on information and communication technology (ICT), are continually being thought of, created and developed to fulfil the differing needs of the population. The Public Service will not be immune to trends that are influencing the workplace landscape.*
This entire issue will be addressing the aspiration and hope for the future of our Public Service. This includes special interviews and insights with YBhg Dato’ Sri Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, previously the Deputy Director General of Public Service (Development) before being appointed as the Secretary General of Communication and Multimedia Ministry and Alun Rhydderch from the School of International Futures (SOIF).
Read our preliminary findings on the drivers on the Future of Malaysian Public Service. The outcome of the study will emphasizes on the need to develop a medium to long term strategic outlook and policy directions for the Malaysian public sector based on a clear human resources management framework. Using foresight methodology, the report will enable the government to look into the future, think strategically about the right mix of people and skills that will be required to respond to the changing national development needs and strategies with the necessary policy directives.
After more than 4 years, I do hope you still find the magazine of interest and beneficial. We welcome inputs and opinions.
