As young public servants, members of the national Federal Youth Network (FYN) play an important role in shaping the future of the public service. Our network contributes to the advancement of the federal public service’s goal to become a more modernized workplace through the cultivation of innovation. We strive to support public service activities and nurture ties between departments through the consistent use and promotion of evolving social media and innovative tools.
In addition to enhancing our workplace, our network fosters the development of our workforce. We create and make available relevant and accessible learning applications on a national scale. FYN’s commitment to working closely with partners such as the Canada School of Public Service, Regional Federal Councils (RFCs) and functional communities has resulted in the creation of customized learning opportunities to enhance development of young and new talent in the federal public service. Examples of such developmental activities include forums (3,500 participants from 20 departments annually) and informal learning events such as Lunch & Learns (3,000 participants from 20 departments annually) in addition to professional networking events (10,200 participants from 20 departments annually).
Most recently, and perhaps most notably, we have developed a Mobile Learning App to facilitate access to developmental training. This type of novel approach will enable the efficient evolution of the public service in these times of constraint and change.
The constraint and change to which we allude is not only of a financial nature. Age demographics will continue on the same path with an increase in number of young and new public servants and fewer with experience. Federal public service statistics, as of July 31, 2012, indicate there are over 60,000 employees under 35 years of age and nearly 100,000 employees with five (or less) continuous years of service.
FYN helps foster a sense of community among the next generation of public servants by serving as a unified national voice for federal public servant youth. The network actively engages in horizontal collaborations which foster awareness of our objectives, such as a video to be presented at all future orientation sessions (approximately 80 sessions per annum). We have also provided input from a national youth perspective to projects at the behest of groups such as the National Managers Community, IPAC and APEX.
Thanks to the resourcefulness, focus and determination of its members, this year is one of great significance to FYN, marking the milestone of a decade as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Committed to actively influence the evolving public service in its quest for excellence, FYN’s collaborative relationships permit the sharing of knowledge and the exploration of creative ways to inspire leadership and change. It serves to unite networks of innovative leaders that advocate for, and on behalf of, the young public servants they represent.
Moving forward, FYN will continue to work with its partners to ensure the engagement of all involved. It will do so by enabling collaboration, applying efficient methods, promoting efficient tools, engaging in effective communication, cultivating leadership, instituting change, fostering innovation, sharing knowledge, inspiring excellence, contributing positively, challenging the status quo and defying expectations.
We are working hard to ensure another 10 years of worthwhile contributions to the public service. If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved or learning more about the Federal Youth Network please visit our GCPEDIA page for additional information: http://i.gc20.ca/fyn .
This leaves but one question…how will you contribute?
This article was wiki composed by the Federal Youth Network (FYN), the national organization for youth networks across the Public Service of Canada.
