Brief History
Research has found many people who work in the public sector face similar challenges at work. Following on from discussions around this debate in 2005 a group of public sector organisations agreed to a partnership approach to work together to address recruitment issues and deliver cross sector skills training so began the foundations of the Gateshead Public Service Academy. Based at Gateshead Civic Centre the Partnership currently includes Gateshead Council, Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead NHS Primary Care Trust part of South of Tyne and Wear Primary Care Services, Gateshead College and Northumbria University.
The Gateshead Public Service Academy provides a shared Training Prospectus now in it’s third year. Courses include coaching, building personal confidence, facilitation skills, making a difference in meetings, mentoring, problem solving and decision-making. The programmes run throughout the year, and delegates attend courses based at the various organisations. Not only do they allow employees the chance to improve their skills, they also provide an opportunity for people from different organisations to share experiences, discuss solutions and build their network of contacts.
“We are demonstrating that by working together we can improve the services we provide for our staff, and for those interested in joining and working for public services in Gateshead. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The proof of this is in what we have already achieved in our initial development phase as well as the promise of the Academy in the future”