Public service not awash with “spin doctors” after all
The Public Service Commission has just released its latest workforce data that tracks full time equivalent (FTE) numbers in the public service by occupation.
The headline number indicates that the public service workforce increased by 421 FTE or 0.7 per cent, between 2023 and 2024. Some occupations were up (contact centre workers) and some down (clerical and administrative staff).
Interestingly, and despite the claims from some politicians, commentators and journalists that the public service is awash with ‘spin doctors’, the PSC’s data shows there were only 488.4 FTEs counted in the communications occupation across all public service departments and departmental agencies as at March 2024. In fact so small a number they form part of the “other” grouping of occupations listed.
Communications staff support and service 41 public service departments and around 200 public sector agencies. By September this year, those 488.4 FTEs had dropped to 446.6.
The Workforce Data document states: “Communications staff play an important part in building an understanding of the work of the Public Service and Government. They help provide the public and media with information that is of importance to New Zealanders, and which can often involve complex issues, new policies and the availability of services or assistance.”
Not a spin doctor in sight! Maybe our profession is useful after all.
