Civil service Departments seek to ensure that all staff have the skills they need to carry out their duties effectively. The range of courses civil servants might attend in either adult learning or occupational and professional development is dictated by the particular needs of the individual, their link to the requirements for current and future development, availability of appropriate training and cost.
The Professional Skills for Government programme has identified a framework for standards of performance across core skills and professional expertise. Occupational and professional development needs to be focused on ensuring staff are able to demonstrate these standards of performance. The National School of Government offers a comprehensive range of training courses which support the professional development of staff in the civil service.