New report: Five factors impacting the public sector skills landscape

Public sector skills shortages, heavy workloads, wellbeing concerns and staff retention issues were all messages resonating from The Open University (OU)’s latest Business Barometer report, published in 2024 in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce.

This new report, Five factors impacting the public sector skills landscape, sees TrainingZone and The Open University dig deeper into the skills challenges faced across the public sector and the major factors that continue to influence efficiency and service delivery. The opportunities and challenges of AI, regional and demographic issues, skills, capability and capacity are all discussed by an impressive list of expert contributors as we identify the themes that impact the whole sector and offer recommendations to help leaders in their thinking.

With over 30 years of experience in learning and development across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, this report’s author, Jackie Clifford, is a respected coach, trainer, and consultant. She has interviewed leaders from a number of leaders from across the public sector, and academics from The Open University who are helping them to solve skills challenges.

Download report - Five factors impacting the public sector skills landscape

Public services are vital in supporting our society and living standards. Throughout our lives we rely on these services and therefore their success is high on the agenda of every government.

I hope that the themes, trends and recommendations we’ve identified here are useful in helping to solve your workforce challenges. Furthermore, I hope that public sector employers, education providers and governments can work together productively in 2025 to develop the skills needed to improve public services.

Phil Kenmore
Director, Corporate Development and Partnerships at The Open University