Congratulations, you’ve joined the public service! You’re probably feeling pretty excited about all that lies ahead of you, and inspired by being given the possibility to make a real impact in your community.

But you might also be feeling a little bit overwhelmed — there’s a lot to know in the public service, government is a highly unique context, and it may not be clear where you should even start.

Relax. We’ve got you covered.

On this page, you’ll find quick bite-sized boot camps on topics that matter most to governments around the world, inspiring words from public servants, and guides to help you develop skills to grow your public service career. You can bookmark this page, and return to it when you need some inspiration or want to develop a new skill.

Boot camps on key skills

These boot camps provide bite-sized training, delivered straight to your inbox, on the topics that matter most to 21st century public servants. From key communication and writing skills, to change management and digital transformation, these boot camps are a great place to explore new ideas.

Communication skills

Soft skills

Approaches and key topics

Words of wisdom from public servants

Read insights from other public servants about the most important skills you can develop for the future, inspiration to get you motivated, and advice for tough times.

The Apolitical Public Service Manifesto
Informed, inspired and mission-driven public servants are critical if we are to tackle today’s biggest challenges. We wanted to share what gets them up in the morning. So we asked our global community and created this, our public service manifesto.

The future skills that public servants actually need to succeed
“It's all about those we serve when we're in the public service, and that means having the modesty and awareness to adapt our behaviours to benefit others the most, even when these changes are hard-learned.”

Yes, skills matter. But not all matter equally.
“Responses to the pandemic show that it is the readiness of public services that truly matters to their success. And that requires careful attention to the skills that count.”

Public servants shouldn’t be afraid to speak from the heart
“As public servants, we have long focused on what we do, and what we say. It’s now time to pay more attention to how we make people feel.”

How public servants can grow their character strengths
“Public servants around the world are involved in shaping public policy that… addresses (often wicked) public problems effectively and efficiently. So knowing our own individual strengths will better equip us for our important role in society.”

My public service journey: what I’ve learned so far
“There is a lot of opportunity for continuous growth and development if you seek it.”

How to build resilience: advice from a public servant
“We often see life through a lens of negativity and obstacles. Expressing gratitude helps lessen the negative feeling of life’s circumstances.”

Public servant, know yourself
“As a public servant, you can only have a positive impact within your work environment and social circles once you know who you are at your core, what you specifically wish to achieve and, last but not least, communicate it effectively to your desired audience.”

A benediction for the weary public servant
“At the risk of sounding too much like “hopes and prayers” instead of “policy and change”, I believe it is only through attending to my own emotional and spiritual wellbeing that I am able to sustain the difficult work of creating powerful policy and leading transformative change.”

Workshop recordings

Watch these workshop recordings (each between 30 minutes and 1 hour long) to get an introduction to key skills and topics in the public service.

Communication skills:

Key topics:

Soft skills:

Leadership skills:

Guides

These downloadable guides will help you improve your writing skills and hold better meetings.

Professional development and job applications

When you’re ready to take your career to the next level, these resources will help you get there.

For UK Civil Servants:

For Canadian public servants: