What is the PSG competency framework?

The Professional Skills for Government (PSG) competency framework is a structured way of thinking about jobs and careers for Civil Service staff at all grades. It sets out the skills you need to do your job well as a member of the Civil Service, no matter what grade you are or where you work.

Grade 7 and above

If you are at Grade 7 or equivalent, or at Senior Civil Service (SCS) pay bands 1 and 3, the framework sets out common skills requirements.

Below Grade 7

The Civil Service is a diverse organisation and the range of skills required below Grade 7 reflects this. If you are below Grade 7, at the moment your department determines how the framework applies to you in line with its own skills needs. To aid transferability of skills both within the Civil Service and across the wider economy, Government Skills, in partnership with departments, has developed a common framework for below Grade 7. This framework was launched in July 2008 and will be embedded in departmental frameworks by 2012.

Using the framework

By using the framework, you can find out:

• the mix of skills and experience you should have in your current job, or
• what skills you might need to gain to change role or seek promotion.

You can seek opportunities to develop your skills at any time, but it makes sense to think about the framework in line with your appraisal cycle. Mid-year reviews, end-of-year appraisals and discussions of your objectives are all great times to look at what skills you have and what skills you need.

The framework is a valuable tool as you plan your Civil Service career. In the future, your opportunities will depend increasingly on your ability to demonstrate your skills. For example, by 2012, to enter the SCS, you must be able to demonstrate that you have gained broader experience during your career in line with the requirements set out by your Head of Profession.

Find out more

For more information about how the framework applies to you, ask your line manager or HR team.

The framework is an important part of the Skills Strategy, designed to meet the current and future skills challenges of central government. More information is available on the Government Skills website. If you would like to learn more, please see Skills Strategy.