Local Government Research Collaborative and Center for State and Local Government Excellence Release Workforce of Tomorrow Report

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Workforce of Tomorrow," a report released today by the Local Government Research Collaborative (LGRC) and the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE), recommends six action strategies to build the workforce of tomorrow:

1. Reinvent human resources to become more flexible, nimble, and strategic.  Seek staff who champion people management issues and can set the workforce agenda.
2. Revamp antiquated policies and practices to meet the needs and expectations of a changing workforce.
3. Build a brand that tells the great story of public service.
4. Focus on talent management, leadership development, and succession planning to prepare for workforce transitions, build capacity, and grow future leaders.
5. Create a culture that values and engages employees in meaningful ways.
6. Leverage technology, data, and automation to improve operations and provide employees with the tools they need.

Author Daniel Pink, one of those interviewed for the report, explained the imperative of local government leadership this way:  "Talented people need organizations a lot less than organizations need talented people."

Tom Lundy, Catawba County Manager, North Carolina and LGRC Member, emphasizes the importance of adapting to attract future employees.  "Local government offers a broad array of professional careers, from community services to public safety to administration.  As community challenges become more complex, local government practices have to adapt in order to stay innovative and relevant.  This report provides a solid framework for attracting and retaining creative local government employees who want the chance to make a difference in their communities."

"Workforce of Tomorrow" includes the results of a graduate and undergraduate student survey and their views of local government careers; interviews with a wide range of human resources and management experts, academics, and authors; and a review and analysis of practitioner and academic research and data sets on the changing workforce.

About the Local Government Research Collaborative

In early 2013, 21 local governments and three universities joined together with the Alliance for Innovation, the International City/County Management Association, and the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University to establish the Local Government Research Collaborative (LGRC).  The LGRC is developing and funding an actionable research agenda that addresses significant issues confronting local governments.  It provides the critical "link" between academic researchers and local governments and allows managers direct input on the identification of emerging and leading practices that will have the most impact on the profession.  It will also shape a research agenda to expand our knowledge of how local governments pursue innovative change and fundamentally improve their performance.  For more information contact Toni Shope, Strategic Initiatives Director, [email protected] or (704) 453-7080.

About the Center for State and Local Government Excellence

The Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) helps local and state governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented, committed workforce.  SLGE identifies leading practices and conducts research on competitive employment practices, workforce development, pensions, health care benefits, and financial planning.  SLGE brings state and local leaders together with respected researchers and features the latest workforce demographic data, research studies, and news on health care, recruitment, and succession planning on its website, www.slge.org. For more information about SLGE, contact Amber Snowden, Communications and Project Manager, [email protected] or (202) 962-3639.

SOURCE Center for State and Local Government Excellence

Related Links

http://www.slge.org