The combination of federal downsizing and the upcoming retirement of baby boomers who have dominated the labour market for a number of years, there is a need for rejuvenatation of the public service. As an organizational resource, today's youth offer a high level of education, technological experience, and potentially innovative and competitive advantages to the government sector. Understanding the attitudes, concerns, and expectations of this generation is essential to building a recruitment strategy and a workplace that will be challenging, rewarding, and attractive.

The overall objectives of this study are:

1. To hold four (4) separate e-Dialogues with students from across North America and stakeholders to assess the recruitment needs (scientific discipline, skill set and professional profile of Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the next generation of public service research scientists

2. To make recommendations on recruitment strategies for the identified sub-group within the public service science cohort

3. To develop a research methodology that can be used to develop recruitment strategies for other subgroups within the public service science cohort.

Royal Roads University
Science, Technology & Environment Division
edialogues@royalroads.ca