The Centre of Expertise for Good Governance (CEGG) facilitated the training needs analysis (TNA) of local public officials in Ukraine. “The tempo of changes occurring in the local self-government domain in Ukraine requires a flexible and effective system of professional training. In its turn, the efficiency and effectiveness of changes depend on the professionalism of public officials” underlined Natalia Aliushyna, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service.
The CEGG carried out the survey in partnership with the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service (NAUCS) and with the support of the four national local government associations. Nearly 7000 appointed and elected local officials of all categories from 24 regions of Ukraine took part in this study via a detailed online questionnaire or an individual in-depth semi-structured interview.
Its findings were presented jointly with the NAUCS and the Specialised Parliamentary Committee on local self-government in Kyiv on 19 December 2023.
“Digitalisation, integrity and motivation are crucial elements for professional training of public officials at local level. The Parliament of Ukraine will continue its work to facilitate reforms to strengthen public administration in view of Ukraine’s EU integration. “The Council of Europe’s expertise is crucial in this process”, emphasised Olena SHULIAK, Chair of the Specialised Parliamentary Committee on Local Self-Government.
Some of the findings from the TNA are very encouraging: between 74.4%-90.7% of respondents are motivated to participate in professional development by a desire to provide high-quality public services or exercise powers effectively. Many wish to avail of the opportunity to learn something new (from 75.2% to 82.5%) and to gain advanced skills is something unknown (from 75.6% to 83.3%).
The majority of respondents consider peer-to-peer exchanges, consultations with experts and learning good practices as the most effective tools for enhancing their professional competence. Public officials listed supporting business development, delivering housing and communal services, ensuring public safety, health care and accessibility of services for persons with disabilities as among the most challenging services to deliver in the current context in Ukraine.
The TNA 2023 became the third such survey conducted by the CEGG in Ukraine, building on TNA cycles carried out in 2017 and 2019. Based on the diagnostics, the CEGG and the NAUCS have identified discrepancies between the knowledge held by potential training participants and the knowledge which is desirable, informing a revision of the National Training Strategy by the NAUCS accordingly. The TNA findings also offer an opportunity to assess evolution of the training needs of local officials and adaptability of the National Training Strategy to the highly volatile Ukrainian environment.
The CEGG held the TNA within its Programme “Enhancing decentralisation and public administration reform in Ukraine” in accordance with the toolkit on Training Needs Analysis and National Training Strategy.
