Planning and managing the value of the PA: training courses for employees

Subject

Public Administration is a leading player in modern society and its ability to provide good quality and low-cost services is an important element for economic growth. If managed according to criteria of efficiency and effectiveness, Public Administration can represent an irreplaceable driving force for the development of the national production system. An OECD study shows a high correlation between the efficiency of the PA and the growth of productivity and GDP. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for a PA that, thanks also to the skills and competences of its managers, is able to make the management and use of resources fast, effective and efficient. Despite the importance of this sector, public employees and the resources for their training continue to decrease. In recent years, the public sector has also seen an increase in the average age of its employees; almost half of them are over 55. However, a simple one-to-one generational turnover with the same organizational structures and management models is not enough. A qualitative leap is needed in which people, organization, and operations of the PA are rethought within the logic of managerial management, of the development of sustainable and innovative projects, which favor the introduction of digital and network systems between organizations.

Learning outcomes

The University of San Marino, in collaboration with the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, introduced in the academic year 2020/2021 both a high-level training course and a Master's degree aimed at promoting the introduction of managerial management logics in the public administration of San Marino. In view of this important training objective, the University felt the need to define both new models of learning and knowledge transfer and formalization of training paths for the Public Administration. From this, the PRIU project was born, which developed according to the following steps:

1. literature analysis of the most innovative experiences in the training of PA employees and managers regarding the adoption of managerial practices and the main success indicators for PA training policies;
2. mapping of the most interesting training realities present in the European territory;
3. adoption of some training proposals applicable to the Sammarinese context within the University's training course.
4. production of a software for reporting the training of each employee through the courses of the Sammarinese Legal Institute and Higher Education.
5. building a learning and development model of innovative skills for public employees.

The research work was conducted with the involvement of the General Directorate of Public Function and allowed the PA, through the recognition of professionalism and excellence, to reflect on its own objectives and training paths.
The research project ended with a conference open to citizens and public employees on the topic of managerial practices, project management, innovative processes and the value of training.
It formed the premise of the employment contract of public administration employees, recently renewed, identifying and configuring a more managerial-oriented public administration.

Status of works

Conclusion
1. The research report has been published on the IRIS portal and on the Sammarinese Law Portal.
2. A scientific article is about to be published in the industry journal Journal of Workplace Learning.
3. The software was produced and is currently used by the IGS