Is the public sector more desirable to work in than the private sector?
Recent figures show that the public sector is catching up with the private sector.
Recent statistics posted just last week show that in many respects the public sector is the place to be in terms of providing new opportunities and increased job stability.
Interim Management Placements
A recent MORI report showed that public sector interim management placements accounted for over half (51%) of all completed assignments in Q2. This was up from 43% in Q1, surpassing the private sector for the first time since tracking began in 2006. The latest findings show Local Government (30%), healthcare (25%) and non departmental Government bodies (10%) specifically as key areas of the public sector pushing up demand for interims. With public sector bodies under increasing pressure to cut costs yet still provide a quality service in the midst of a recession, they have increasingly looked to interim managers to provide specialist knowledge and expertise to help them hit their targets.
There has also been a realisation from public sector bodies that skills shortages in their organisations could be better met by private sector workers than internal recruits. A recent survey of public sector bodies revealed that nearly half (47%) of employers thought there was a general skills shortage in the sector, especially in education, central and local government, housing and the NHS.
Increased Opportunities
This realisation from public sector organisations has led to increased opportunities for private sector staff to cross over to the public sector. Many who hadn’t considered the switch are now doing so, or seriously considering it. And why wouldn’t they? The public sector offers comparable pay, generous benefits such as pensions and holiday allowance, and a challenging, yet rewarding environment to work in. Also, many public sector bodies are undergoing a period of change and commercial expertise is highly valued to manage this process and drive efficiencies.
Additionally, the time to move to the public sector may be now, with 63% of employers confirming they have noticed an upturn in applications. Of further significance is the fact that 86% believe this increase is beneficial, with new candidates bringing a diverse range of skills, experience and willingness to adapt to new methods not always seen with long-term public sector staff.
One worry for the public sector is the long-term commitment of these newly acquired private sector workers. Although almost two-fifths of public sector employers are adamant that the recession has enabled access to a pool of talent that may otherwise not have been on offer, there is also the very real concern that once the economy picks up many of the new workers will leave and go back to previous (more highly paid) private sector employment, once again leaving a dearth of skills in the public sector.
