Twenty young public officers have completed a week-long induction training programme, following their recruitment through a special call for applications open only to graduates in management and related disciplines.

Much importance is being attached to the proper grooming of this new group of recruits in the middle-management grade of Principal.

The induction course was aimed at introducing participants to the public service and imparting to them the values and ethos of the service.

After the course, the new Principals will embark on a structured mentoring programme which will take them to various ministries and to the Management Efficiency Unit.

Under this programme, specially selected mentors will assist these new officers in developing the inter-personal and professional skills they require to take on positions of significant responsibility and to make an effective contribution to the country.

The course, run by the Staff Development Organisation in the Office of the Prime Minister, was opened by Joseph R. Grima, head of the public service. In his introduction, Mr Grima congratulated the new Principals on their success after a rigorous process of selection.

He invited them to participate fully in the mentoring programme and encouraged them to show competence and commitment in their quest for excellence.

Mr Grima spoke about the successes and challenges facing the ever-changing public service and augured that these Principals will be among the public service's future leaders.