The public sector is failing to attract younger employees, with just 12 per cent of the workforce
aged under 25 highlighting issues the public sector faces in marketing itself in a competitive labour
market. Critically discuss the adoption of workforce planning or recruitment and selection methods
of attracting 18 to 24-year-old job applicants to the public sector careers.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Attracting Younger Employees to the Public Sector: Workforce Planning and Recruitment Strategies
Introduction
The public sector is facing a significant challenge in attracting younger employees, as evidenced by the low representation of individuals aged 18 to 24 in its workforce. With only 12 percent falling within this age bracket, it is crucial to critically discuss the adoption of workforce planning and recruitment strategies aimed at attracting younger job applicants to public sector careers. This essay will explore the key issues faced by the public sector in marketing itself in a competitive labor market and evaluate the effectiveness of workforce planning and recruitment and selection methods in addressing these challenges.
Challenges in Attracting Younger Employees
Perception and Image: The public sector often struggles with a reputation for being bureaucratic, slow-paced, and lacking innovation. Younger job seekers may perceive it as less dynamic or less aligned with their career aspirations.
Compensation and Benefits: The public sector may face challenges in offering competitive salary packages compared to the private sector, which can dissuade younger talent from considering public sector careers.
Limited Visibility and Awareness: Many young job seekers may be unaware of the diverse range of career opportunities available within the public sector, leading to a lack of interest or consideration.
Recruitment Processes: Lengthy and complex recruitment processes can discourage younger applicants who value efficiency and quick decision-making.
Workforce Planning Strategies
Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Developing partnerships with universities, colleges, and vocational schools can help raise awareness about public sector careers among young individuals. Internship programs, campus visits, and career fairs can expose students to opportunities within the public sector.
Tailored Marketing and Branding: The public sector should invest in targeted marketing campaigns that highlight the exciting and impactful aspects of working in public service. Emphasizing the potential for career growth, meaningful work, and work-life balance can attract younger candidates.
Flexible Working Arrangements: Offering flexible work schedules, remote work options, and opportunities for skill development can make public sector careers more appealing to younger generations who value work-life balance and continuous learning.
Recruitment and Selection Methods
Streamlined Application Processes: Simplifying online application systems and reducing unnecessary administrative steps can make it easier for young job seekers to apply for public sector positions.
Embracing Digital Platforms: Leveraging social media platforms, professional networking sites, and online job boards can enhance the visibility of public sector job opportunities among younger individuals who are more likely to be active on these platforms.
Engaging Young Ambassadors: Enlisting current young employees as ambassadors to share their experiences and success stories can help build trust and credibility among potential young applicants.
Targeted Outreach Programs: Developing targeted outreach programs that specifically focus on attracting young talent can be effective. This can include workshops, mentoring programs, or youth-focused recruitment events.
Conclusion
Attracting younger employees to the public sector requires a strategic approach that addresses the challenges faced in marketing public sector careers. Workforce planning strategies that involve collaboration with educational institutions and tailored marketing campaigns can increase awareness and change perceptions about working in the public sector. Adopting recruitment and selection methods such as streamlined application processes, digital platforms, engaging young ambassadors, and targeted outreach programs can effectively attract 18 to 24-year-old job applicants to public sector careers. By implementing these strategies, the public sector can position itself as an attractive and viable career option for young talent, ensuring a diverse and sustainable workforce for the future.
