Public administration labour market: skills, digital innovation and territorial disparities

Abstract

The digitalisation of public administration (PA) is essential for the modernisation of public services. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has led to the adoption of new technologies and organisational models, redefining the skills required of public servants. Human capital training is central to supporting digitalisation and enabling process simplification. The reform of the PA labour market, implemented under the NRP, aims to improve the skills of public employees and simplify processes through digital technologies. In addition, several programmes and initiatives promote the digital skills needed by the PA workforce. Despite the measures in place, there are differences between areas due to various factors such as the availability of resources, local initiatives and participation in tenders.

The aim of this paper is to examine digital innovation in the public PA labour market, by analysing the strategies adopted to address new skills needs. This study is in continuity with a 2024 analysis that correlated digital innovation of firms and digital skills of workers, profiling regions according to the level of digitalisation of the labour market. This work constitutes a preliminary study for a multidimensional analysis aimed at outlining the digital profile of public institutions at regional level and understanding the role of territories in the digital transition. In terms of methodology, the study will be carried out through desk research, with an analysis of literature and policies implemented. In addition, a descriptive analysis will be carried out on the interventions for updating and retraining digital competences (Sources: ISTAT Census of Public Institutions and ICTPA Surveys). One of the expected results is the classification of the regions in terms of digital skills needs.