Workforce planning enables us to have a professional public service that can support government by ensuring employees have the right skills and knowledge, are aligned in effective organizational structures, and are engaged in productive work environments to achieve expected results.
What is workforce planning?
A workforce plan is a comprehensive strategy designed to address the following key areas:
- Human Resource Allocations - the number of FTEs required to successfully deliver a core program or service effectively and efficiently.
- Leadership - the direction and support we require our leaders to provide to enable the employees and the organization to achieve its strategic direction.
- Competencies - the knowledge, skills and abilities we require employees to have and display to enable the organization to achieve its strategic direction and meet citizen and client needs.
- Culture/Values - the "how" things are done, expectations for employee and organizational performance required to successfully deliver core programs and services.
- Structure - how we interact with our clients, how work is divided, the alignment of responsibilities with authority, the form required to support the work that needs to be done and enables the organization and the workforce to excel.
- HR Systems & Processes - are we identifying, hiring, retaining, rewarding, developing and leading to secure the values and competencies we need to achieve our strategic direction on a daily basis.
- Engagement & Performance - are we creating a work environment that engages employees so that they are more productive, they perform at higher levels, and are committed to the Government of Saskatchewan as an employer.
Why is workforce planning important?
Strategic workforce planning is becoming increasingly important to all organizations and in particular the Saskatchewan public service in a response to a variety of factors:
- Government's desire to reduce the overall government footprint and strive for a more efficient public service through attrition-driven downsizing efforts;
- The aging workforce and approaching retirement wave;
- Current and projected labour shortages;
- Globalization;
- Growing use of a contingent, flexible workforce;
- The need to leverage human capital and enhance returns; and
- Evolution of technology and tools.
What does workforce planning achieve?
Strategic workforce planning delivers value by enabling managers in partnership with human resource professionals to:
- Plan for and allocate human resources to align with government-wide ministry priorities and core programs and services;
- Make decisions on resource allocations, recruitment, retention, performance management, learning and development, diversity, succession, and workplace wellness;
- Demonstrate the attributes and behaviours within Our Commitment to Excellence and continually engage employees in achieving and sustaining the desired organizational culture; and
- Participate in establishing the human resource management practices, policies, and procedures required to achieve our vision, organizational principles, values and commitment to employees.