Mapping Future-Ready Competencies for Strategic Governance in the Public Sector: A Readiness Profiling Approach

Abstract

The increasing complexity of governance environments, driven by rapid technological advancement, global uncertainty, and evolving societal expectations, has heightened the need for public sector organisations to develop future-ready competencies among their workforce. Traditional competency frameworks, which primarily emphasise administrative and technical skills, are no longer sufficient to support adaptive, strategic, and innovation-driven governance. This study aims to map and identify critical future-ready competencies required to strengthen strategic governance capabilities within public sector institutions. Grounded in competency theory and strategic governance frameworks, the study adopts a quantitative research design using a competency readiness profiling approach. Data were collected from public sector employees across multiple ministries through a structured survey instrument measuring functional, leadership, digital, and adaptive competencies. Statistical analyses, including exploratory factor analysis and structural modelling techniques, were employed to validate competency dimensions and examine their contributions to strategic governance readiness. The findings reveal that future-ready competencies in the public sector extend beyond conventional administrative skills, encompassing digital literacy, strategic thinking, adaptive leadership, collaborative governance, and innovation orientation. Among these, strategic foresight and digital competency emerged as the most significant predictors of organisational readiness for future governance challenges. This study contributes to the growing discourse on public sector transformation by providing an empirically validated competency mapping model that supports evidence-based workforce development. The proposed framework offers practical implications for policymakers, human resource planners, and public administration leaders in designing competency-based training, leadership development programmes, and strategic talent management initiatives to enhance governance effectiveness in an increasingly dynamic environment.