Feature #1, February 2010 - NRCan

Feature #1 - February 2010


The Talent Management program at Natural Resources Canada


The issue of Talent Management has risen in prominence over the Climbing la st few years in both the private and public sectors and in the federal public service, it is now seen as integral part of integrated business and human resource planning.  Under the direction of the Clerk, Deputy Heads are establishing and refining processes to maximize the support to, and guidance for, employees with respect to career choices, bearing in mind organizational goals and priorities..

One of the leading federal departments in this area is Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).  Since 2007, NRCan has worked to build a comprehensive approach to overall Leadership Development; this has been a learning experience for both the senior management team, and NRCan employees.

Recognizing that Talent Management is one component of an Integrated Performance and Talent Management Program, their comprehensive approach includes such elements as performance evaluation, learning and development, career planning, organizational alignment, succession planning, knowledge transfer and resourcing strategies.

The NRCan approach does not target “high flyers” but rather uses talent mapping to systematically assess the current readiness, appropriateness, or willingness of employees to move from their current position, and the optimum time to do so.  

With a program that initially focussed on the executive cadre, NRCan has expanded and refined its approach to include a pilot project for visible minorities, for which it has won recognition from the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Federal Public Service, and is extending the program to the research managers’ community. The ultimate goal is to have a full talent management program applied to all NRCan employees.

ApplaudsTo reach this stage of development, much sustained and creative work has been carried out by a number of people under the direction and support of Cassie Doyle, the Deputy Minister, and with direct involvement of the ADMs.  

Congratulations to NRCan for its work in developing a solidly founded but adaptable program which can respond to future needs of the Public Service and the Canadians we serve.