Canadian Government Executive - Volume 21

uring the past decade, leaders of the Federal Youth

Network (FYN) have built momentum in establish-

ing Young Professional Networks (YPN) in the Fed-

eral Public Service. Their efforts proved successful as

YPNs emerged across the country to bridge the intergenerational

gap and inspired young professionals to develop competencies

and reach their full potential.

FYN’s focus on leadership, innovation and career development

resonated well with the RCMP National Division’s aspiration to

engage the creativity of its employees in realizing operational

excellence. The implementation of such a network at the Nation-

al Division would serve as a vehicle to drive efficiencies, increase

employee engagement through innovation, and pave the way for

young professionals to meet new standards of excellence.

Thus, with the objective of building a resilient yet adaptable

community of young professionals capable of keeping pace with

an evolving public service, the RCMP’s National Division Young

Professionals Network (INSPIRE) was born. INSPIRE was offi-

cially launched on June 9, 2015 as the very first YPN of its kind at

RCMP headquarters. INSPIRE is championed by Assistant Com-

missioner Gilles Michaud, the Commanding Officer of National

Division.

INSPIRE: Management’s Endorsement

Management plays a pivotal role in encouraging and support-

ing employees’ participation during the implementation of

any new initiative in the workplace. The managers’ full com-

mitment is critical to ensure success. At National Division, As-

sistant Commissioner Michaud recognizes the importance of

engaging and empowering employees at all levels in order to

inspire success. He undertakes to increase employees’ poten-

tial through professional development by fostering a support-

ive environment which will promote the use of innovative ap-

proaches. “Our dedicated and professional employees remain

our greatest asset,” he says. “They are the cornerstone behind

our operational and administrative successes and in recogni-

tion of their value, we will continue to invest in developing

these employees, fostering an empowered workforce and pro-

moting our positive corporate culture.” To achieve this, such a

leader proves invaluable in creating favourable conditions for

employees to gain a sense of purpose. Once engaged, employ-

ees will be devoted to actively carry out the mandate of IN-

SPIRE and thrive in their professional careers.

New Professionals

Sandra DiGnagbo

Young Professionals at the RCMP:

Set to INSPIRE

INSPIRE: Uniqueness and Unity

National Division is one of the 15 divisions of the RCMP and is lo-

cated in the heart of the nation’s capital. It is an interesting work-

place with a significant dual mandate. National Division is re-

sponsible for high profile sensitive investigations into significant

threats to Canada’s political, economic and social integrity as well

as providing protective services to the Prime Minister, Governor

General, designated dignitaries and sites. In addition to these

complex responsibilities, the Division encompasses three distinct

categories of employees working cohesively to meet divisional ob-

jectives: Regular Members (police officers), Civilian Members and

Public Service Employees.

Each of these categories have their own specific terms and con-

ditions of employment, separate human resource processes and

practices, as well as distinct duties and specializations. Challeng-

ing as they may seem, these differences add a synergy to the Divi-

sion which contributes to a dynamic work environment. It is on

this basis that INSPIRE will facilitate discussions that will fuel

a collective appetite for innovation among the three categories

of employees. Together, these young professionals will combine

their respective experience, knowledge and global perspective

to the Division and propose effective ways of achieving business

improvement.

As well, INSPIRE will provide Civilian Members and Regular

Members an unprecedented opportunity to acquire an enhanced

cross-functional understanding of the federal public service’s pur-

pose and to collaborate on larger-scale initiatives with other fed-

eral government departments. INSPIRE will seek ways to unify

all young professionals at National Division regardless of the cat-

egory of employee they belong to. In order to uphold the vision

of the public service, INSPIRE endeavours to create a platform

for young professionals to innovate, network, and develop their

careers either as public service employees or as civilian members

and regular members of the RCMP.

National Division is proud to lead and sponsor young profession-

als in the workplace. We will explore new avenues to cultivate in-

novation in hopes to reach new heights in the future. We look for-

ward to the exciting journey ahead of us but, above all, we aspire to

INSPIRE the next generation of professionals among us.

andra

nagbo

is the Founder and Lead of INSPIRE,

National Division Young Professionals Network, at the

Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

November 2015 //

Canadian Government Executive /