About Us
GoverNEXT is an active community of public servants who, together, are contributing to the renewal of the provincial public service by promoting a workplace that is diverse, rewarding, and collaborative.
In a nutshell, achieving this vision is about dialogue and sharing ideas, and about making the Government of Nova Scotia a great place to work.
GoverNEXT was created in 2005 by a small group of young public servants who realized that the demographic realities of the public service workforce create both a challenge and an opportunity. Seizing that opportunity, the pioneers of GoverNEXT sought the support of deputy ministers to establish a network that would engage young public servants at a critical time for the future of the provincial public service.
GoverNEXT has since evolved into a 600-member network across the Government of Nova Scotia. The membership is comprised of public servants from a variety of occupations, backgrounds, departments, and cultures who come together for learning, career development, and networking.
What does GoverNEXT do?
Lots! In the past, we have focused on things like:
- Hosting Career Development and Mentorship workshops for provincial employees
- Offering formal and informal networking opportunities for young and ‘seasoned’ public servants
- Spreading our “best practice” to external audiences, including: Dalhousie School of Public Administration, Human Resource Association of Nova Scotia and the Institute of Public Administration Canada.
- Working with government departments on youth initiatives, recruitment and retention, and human resource policies.
GoverNEXT is governed by a Steering Committee comprised of volunteer departmental representatives and is led by an elected executive team. The executive team liaises with and takes counsel from the ‘champion’ of GoverNEXT, a deputy minister. As well, Steering Committee and GoverNEXT members serve on task teams in the areas of communications, mentorship, human resource policy, networking, IT and outreach.