A revised Directive will be issued before the end of this year highlighting that work experience will no longer be a requirement for entry-level jobs in the public service. This will be done as part of addressing the country’s high unemployment rate.
This was revealed by Public Service and Administration Minister, Ms Noxolo Kiviet responding to a Parliamentary question on the progress regarding the abolition of the requirement of work experience for entry-level posts.
Minister Kiviet said: “A revised Directive will be issued before the end of November 2023 with a clear criterion on how Executive Authorities may identify the entry-level posts.
“In terms of the Public Service Act, the responsibility for identifying these specific posts rests with the Executive Authority of the respective department.
“Presently, posts with no experience requirements are also being advertised within the Public Service.
“The revised directive will highlight that experience is not required in all positions up until level 6, where such positions have no supervisory responsibilities,” she said.
Under the Directive issued by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) in February 2019, entry-level posts within the public service are categorised as level 3 for roles requiring only a senior certificate and level 6 for roles necessitating a tertiary qualification at a minimum.
Vetting to conduct integrity assessments.
Minister Kiviet also announced that the DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that will be recommended to assess integrity across the public service.
She said the scope covers all public servants starting with senior managers before consideration for other salary levels within the current medium-term period.
“The DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that are operating in the market.
“The various psychometric tools being considered include both overt and/or covert assessments to assess an individual’s propensity and attitude towards Integrity. Such instruments are mainly Personality Questionnaires from reputable and verified Psychometric Test Developers.
“The vetting process will take into account various factors, including but not limited to the legality of the tests, the perspectives of organized labour, the necessity to validate the adopted selection instruments in accordance with the Employment Equity Act of 1998, and the consideration of cultural and contextual factors that may impact the assessment outcomes.” the Minister said.
Section 195 (1)(a) of the Constitution calls for the promotion and maintenance of high professional ethics in the public service.
The number one priority for the 6th Administration is the building of a capable, ethical, and developmental state which is implemented through several measures including the professionalisation framework.
The framework, according to Minister Kiviet, calls for the extension of the battery of pre-employment tests including integrity assessment tools to assess an individual’s ethical and moral values.
