This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Devolution key milestone in modernisation
15/11/2001
Devolution and the Scottish Parliament have been key milestones in the modernisation process, the Government's Centre for Management and Policy Studies conference in Dunblane was told today.
Speaking at the "Making a Difference" meeting on training and development, Finance Minister Angus MacKay praised the efforts that have already been made to modernise across the public sector in Scotland. He said:
"Devolution and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament have been key milestones in the modernisation process. They have provided the opportunity to take stock of what we do and how we do it.
"The challenge now is to transfrom our organisations by transforming the way people in them think and behave. The smart processes and the high tech systems must be put in place. But they will only deliver a better product if the people who use them have a different outlook. Our aim must be transformational not incremental change.
"Scotland is a small country. We cannot afford to work in isolation. Perhaps the challenge to us all today is to come up with joint public sector training programmes that can save public money by yielding economies of scale, but which also add value to Scotland plc by pooling ideas and energy."
"Our goal must be to produce even better public service managers who are able to deliver high quality public services and ensure that the vision of a modernised public service that delivers the caring, compassionate, confident Scotland we all want to see, becomes a reality."
CMPS is the Government's Centre for Management and Policy Studies. It was launched in the summer of 1999 as part of the Cabinet Office and incorporating the Civil Service College.
CMPS in Scotland offers a comprehensive range of training and development solutions to Scottish government, public and private sector and voluntary organisations through its centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Their programmes underpin and reflect both the devolution and Modernising Government agendas, whilst drawing on the considerable resources and diversity of experience offered by the UK CMPS.
CMPS is facilitating a one-day "Making a Difference" conference on 15 November 2001 aimed at professionals across the public sector in Scotland. The focus is on how training and development can add value to organisations as they rise to the challenge of modernisation. The conference will feature presentations and workshops covering a range of organisational issues including culture change, managing diversity, leadership, knowledge management and understanding customer needs.