The motivation and expected added value of public administration staff benefitting from ESF scholarships

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand better the value of ESF Scholarships and its empowerment to strengthen public administration skills. This study initially analyses how the Public Service Reform brought a change in the Public Service to strengthen the skills and abilities of public administration staff, taking into account, a particular initiative, that of introducing in-service training activities for public officers. In addition to this, particular emphasis was made on the study of EU Funds and the benefits of the ESF 4.100 project - Developing Core Skills in the Public Service. This project offers sponsorship schemes targeted mainly towards supporting the professional and academic development of Public Service officers whilst keeping in view the training and development needs in public administration. The core of this research is largely qualitative based on a case study with a number of interviews and questionnaires with ESF holders who either followed or are still following a scholarship. These interviews and questionnaires determine the main objective of this dissertation, that of identifying the motivation and expected added value of public administration staff. Besides this, quantitative data was also collected by means of participants' list tables. The final stage of this study puts forward recommendations for a smooth transition and emphasizes on the importance of having more courses catered for public administration staff working in the Finance Section.