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of local officers in administrative and professional grades increased from 38.7% in 1960 to 40.3% in 1961; over the Service as a whole, the percentage of oversea officers is 3.39%. Much, however, remains to be done not only to ensure opportunities for promotion but also to ensure that Government staff are trained to execute their present duties efficiently. The nucleus of a Training Unit has now been established in the Colonial Secretariat; it has reviewed departmental training programmes and will play a major part in maintaining enthusiasm for improved training arrange- ments. Overseas training is also required, however, and 92 local officers went overseas during the year to obtain professional qualifications, many of them post-graduate. About $1,550,000 was spent on overseas training in 1961.—
As in past years, the Public Services Commission continued to play a prominent part in the selection of candidates for appoint- ment. Steps were taken during the year to implement a 1959 Salaries Commission suggestion that as criteria for selection became well established so the Commission should be relieved of some of its duties; the Commission is now no longer required to advise on appointments, promotions, probation bars and efficiency bars in the junior ranks of the Service.
Recruitment policy was reviewed during the year, with a view to reducing as far as possible the employment of overseas officers, and as a result more use is likely to be made of contract rather than pensionable terms of employment where there is a possibility of a suitably qualified local candidate becoming available in the foreseeable future.
The rapid growth of departments over the past 10 years has made it necessary to examine critically the organization and staff deployment of some of the bigger departments. As a first step to this end the services of a United Kingdom firm of management consultants were obtained for a thorough review of the Public Works Department, and to advise on the future organization of Government's new Organization and Methods Unit.
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