Glossary of terms

Artificial intelligence (AI)

An engineered system that generates predictive outputs, such as content, forecasts, recommendations or decisions for a given set of human-defined objectives or parameters without explicit programming. AI systems operate with different levels of automation.

Continuous learning

The ongoing growth of knowledge, skills, behaviours and experience.

Core digital skills

The minimum skillset for people to engage and stay safe online, including but not limited to activities such as, for managing information, communicating and transacting.

Cyber security

Includes measures used to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, applications and data.

Deployment

The process of assigning employees to jobs and positions to achieve specific goals.

Digital capability

The skills and competencies required for living, learning and working in a digital society.

Digital leadership and digital leader

Senior leaders and decision makers who steer an agency’s digital direction and drive the use of digital assets and existing or emerging technologies to achieve strategic goals.

Digital public service workforce

Refers to digital technology specialists and digital leaders employed by the public service, rather than employees using digital technology in their day-to-day jobs.

Digital technology specialists

Includes but is not limited to:

• Systems Analyst
• ICT Security Specialist
• Enterprise Architect
• ICT Business Analyst
• Developer or Programmer
• ICT Project Manager
• UX or UI designer.

Digital transformation

The process of moving to a digital government. This means that our government operates differently in an increasingly digital world, using new mindsets, skillsets, technologies and data to benefit people and the economy.

Digital workforce skills

These are skills required for the digital technology workforce, not the more general digital skills needed by the wider population to operate in an ever-increasing digital society.

Digitally capable people in the workforce

People with the skills (digital, technical and soft), knowledge, behaviours and experience needed to do their work. Digitally capable individuals leverage digital technologies and processes to achieve their objectives, continuously learning and adapting to changes in the workplace and industry trends.

Digitally capable workforce

The collective skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience of an organisation’s employees. A capable workforce adapts to change and achieves strategic objectives.

Employability skills

Also known as soft skills, such as team work, communication, active listening, conflict management and self-management alongside evidence of qualifications, work experience, literacy and numeracy, and IT skills.

Employee value proposition

A statement outlining the unique set of benefits, rewards and values that an organisation offers its employees in exchange for their skills, experience and commitment.

Job

A specific instance of a role which has a title and specific responsibilities within an agency, for example, Enterprise Architect at the Ministry of Social Development.

Labour market

The relationship between the supply of workers and the demand for workers.

Mobility

The movement of public service employees between agencies on a temporary or permanent basis.

Public service employee

People employed by a department or an interdepartmental venture.

Role

Refers to the specific function or part an employee plays within a job or agency and often encompasses a broad set of responsibilities, for example, Enterprise Architect.

Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)

A framework that defines the skills and competencies required of professionals who design, develop, implement, manage and protect the data and technology that power the digital world.

Skills frameworks

Describe the skills, knowledge, practices and behaviours requirement for the workforce to contribute to an agency’s strategic objectives. Skills frameworks can be used to recruit, manage performance and support development. The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) is an example of a skills framework.

Soft skills

Character traits and interpersonal skills that characterise a person’s ability to interact effectively with others. In the workplace, soft skills complement hard skills, which refer to a person’s knowledge and occupational skills. See Employability skills.

Strategic workforce planning

A long-term data-driven approach to aligning workforce supply, capability and demand with organisational objectives.

Up-skilling and re-skilling

Programmes designed to help employees develop new skills or build on current skills to stay relevant in evolving job markets.