Articles of the Month

A future in the federal Public Service... Fact or fiction?

How many times have we heard that the Public Service will need more workers over the coming years because of the increasing number of retirements? What is the reality? It is easy to say that there will be a great need for renewal, but in which employment sectors of the Public Service will demand be the highest?

It is undeniable that the federal Public Service will be faced with increasingly frequent and numerous retirements. According to employment statistics for the federal Public Service , 40% of Public Service employees were between the ages of 45 and 54 in March 2000. This means that by the year 2010, the number of public servants over the age of 50 could almost double.

At the same time, statistics for recent years show an increase in the number of new employees hired on an indeterminate basis who are over 35 years old.

The current rate for employee departures from the Public Service is 3.7%. By 2010, it is expected that the departure rate will have risen to 6.6% per year. So, there will be a significant number of positions to be filled in the federal Public Service within the next few years, given the aging of its work force.

But where are the jobs and growth sectors???

The Public Service increasingly sets a premium on scientific, technical and professional positions requiring superior competencies and higher education. These positions fall into three categories: first, management, second, scientific and professional and third, administration and foreign service. These types of positions have already begun to increase. In fact, from 1993 to 2000, there was a 12% increase in positions held in these specific fields

Many occupational groups have shown a 10 to 20% increase in their work force since 1993. They include the following: computer systems management; law, economics, sociology and statistics; social welfare programs; physical sciences; correctional services; information services; trade and technical inspection.

The above-mentioned groups are part of employment groups that are increasingly in demand in the federal Public Service. However, in terms of retirements, there will be great demand for senior managers, 53% of whom were over 50 years old in March 2000.

In conclusion, the future of employment in the Public Service is not a myth. More and more opportunities really exist for young people in the Public Service in a variety of fields.

A few recruitment sites

Lastly, it is important to know that recruitment sites regarding employment in government organizations are varied. The following is a list of sites that may be of interest to you, together with their areas of activity:

• post-secondary recruitment for graduates
• student jobs
• jobs in many departments, organizations and government agencies

• student jobs
• various jobs at CCRA

• various jobs in the Bank of Canada
• student jobs, internships, post-secondary recruitment

• various jobs in the OAG
• accountants
• engineers
• lawyers
• computer scientists
• environmentalists
• economists
• historians
• sociologists
• internships in financial auditing and in value-for-money

• various jobs

• student jobs
• various jobs

• various jobs
• jobs for young graduates
• student jobs

• student jobs
• various jobs

• various jobs for CIPO

• various jobs

• jobs in the following sectors: inspection and regulations in civil aviation, marine safety, aircraft service and the Security and Emergency Preparedness Branch

This article has been provided by Youth Café - A Service Canada Centre located in downtown Montreal that offers youth the necessary tools for a full and active social participation, all in one place.

The Café's mission is to offer better access to information, services, programs and ressources from most federal departments as well as the Youth Employment Strategy.

We ecourage you to visit Youth Café next time you are in Montreal or visit a Service Canada Centre near you.