SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION

Innovation in the public sector is often talked about in terms of technology and new systems, but the real driving force behind change is people, according to Bachelor of Administration Honours student, Asisipho Ngongo who shared her insights on the importance of investing in human capital.

Ngongo said this while presenting her research titled: Skills Development and Capacity Building for Public Sector Innovation” at the Institutional Research and Innovation Day in Mthatha.

“Innovation is not something that we can buy, it is something we build by investing in people. Innovation in government is often thought of as new technologies or systems, but the real change makers are people,” she said.

Ngongo further explained that when individuals are given an opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute they become the driving force behind stronger communities and more effective institutions.

“When people grow, institutions grow, and societies move forward. Technology alone cannot transform the public sector, and innovation is impossible without investing in the people who drive it,” she said.

She added that local government is the sphere of government that is close to people, and citizens experience government performance most at the local level,” she said, pointing out how empowered, skilled employees directly improve everyday services.

In her closing remarks, Ngongo stressed the transformative power of skills development saying it is not just a technical exercise but a transformative gene for public sector institutions. She added by saying investing in training and capacity building, government institutions become more resilient, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the people.

By Amahle Haseni