Recruitment Tips, Technology Trends, and Insider Insights - 002

The Uphill Battle of Government Recruitment

Baby boomer workers dominate public sector jobs. But many are ready to retire, which will leave a significant gap in the workforce.??

Recruiting talented individuals who are passionate about public service to bridge the gap is a challenge faced by all levels of government.

The reason for this challenge is multifaceted, with the most pressing causes being competition from the private sector, a cumbersome hiring process, and the image perception that government jobs are “jobs for life", a mindset that is at odds with the preferences and behaviors of younger workers.

These challenges can be overcome with the right strategy. For a closer look at some of the steps governments may want to consider, check out this blog post.

Technology Corner??????????????????????????????????????????

Picking up where we left off in our last issue on smart cities, let’s look at the benefits of smart meters for municipalities and residents.?

GHD Digital, the parent company of the Govstack platform, has considerable expertise in this area. They have helped clients think about Advanced Metering Infrastructure not as a technology implementation but a transformational investment— one that drives business value across all business dimensions.??

The use of smart meters cuts across a wide range of industries and applications and offers myriad advantages. Take for example, billing. No one wants to pay for power they have not used. And many governments are using smart meters to enable precise measurements of electricity, water, or gas consumption to provide more accurate billing.?

Analyzing data on real-time consumption, municipalities can identify peak demand periods by implementing a demand response strategy that incentivizes residents to reduce consumption during peak periods. This helps to control the load on the grid, resulting in more reliable service.??

Smart meters provide insights into energy consumption patterns. Municipalities are using this data to identify high usage areas and to implement energy efficiency programs to aid in sustainability goals. The data can also be used to empower residents to adopt more efficient practices like renewable energy sources.?

Detecting leaks can help with water conservation. Smart meters are being used to detect abnormal flow patterns and alert municipalities about potential leaks in distribution systems. It also enables timely repairs to reduce water loss and promote conservation.?

Using smart meters for remote real-time monitoring of infrastructure is a proactive measure to deal with maintenance, reduce downtime and improve overall efficiency.?

Smart meters are even being used to engage and empower communities. They allow residents to access their consumption data in real-time, promoting transparency and fostering awareness about resource usage. This empowers residents to actively manage their consumption, make necessary behavioral modifications, and participate in energy-saving initiatives.??

As GHD Digital’s Freddie Guerra puts it, “by focusing on outcomes and value creation, smart meters dramatically surpass the traditional metering process, helping utilities enable new services and revenue streams, and build the backbone for a smart water utility while also increasing efficiency, preparedness, reliability, and security.”?

?? Stay tuned to the next edition of Tech Corner for a look at the role AI (Artificial Intelligence) plays in smart cities. ???

News Roundup

Govstack is in the news.

Congratulations to Algonquin Highlands on the launch of their new website! Our team was delighted to work with them to elevate their digital presence. Check out their press release for all the details.

Upcoming Events

We’re going to be at AMO in London, Ontario on August 20-23. If you’re there, stop by for a chat. Our team would love to meet you.?

Stay tuned for our upcoming webinar in September to see how Citizen Portal can dramatically impact your citizen engagement.?

Resources

Check out our resource page for?useful product information and for insights into some of the technology trends that could be game changers.