This exclusive dinner reception hosted by Indeed and GovNet Tech at the House of Commons brought together senior public sector leaders to explore how organisations can rethink talent, workforce development and leadership in response to rapid technological change. The event was led by Matt Burney, Senior Strategic Advisor at Indeed on the transition from traditional qualification-based approaches towards capability- and skills-led workforce strategies, examining the impact of AI, evolving labour market demands and the future of public sector leadership.
Matt looked at how advances in generative AI are reshaping the workforce. While AI will undoubtedly transform the way people work, delegates agreed its greatest impact will be on changing roles and skills rather than replacing jobs altogether. The challenge for organisations is therefore to build adaptable workforces that can continually develop new capabilities while supporting employees through ongoing change.
A key theme was the need to move away from recruitment practices that rely heavily on qualifications and previous experience towards a skills-first approach, placing greater emphasis on capability, transferable skills and future potential. Participants recognised that traditional hiring criteria can unnecessarily limit access to diverse talent at a time when skills shortages continue to grow.
The conversation also highlighted the growing importance of learning and development. With technical skills becoming obsolete at an increasingly rapid pace, organisations must embed continuous learning into everyday work, investing in meaningful development programmes that equip employees for future roles rather than relying on one-off or compliance-driven training.
Matt also explored the opportunities presented by a multi-generational workforce, recognising the value of combining institutional knowledge with digital fluency through mentoring and reverse mentoring. Alongside this, there was broad agreement that leadership capability requires greater investment, with organisations needing to create the time and space for managers to develop the skills required to lead through change.
The session concluded with a strong focus on practical action. Attendees agreed that successful organisations will be those that adopt AI responsibly, prioritise skills over credentials, invest in continuous workforce development and create cultures that enable people to adapt, learn and thrive in an increasingly dynamic operating environment.
Are you keen to find out more about Indeed’s Public Sector Talent Hub? Get in touch with Caroline via cukpublicsector@indeed.com