In the local government environment where the attraction and development of solid, skilled and innovative talent is essential, Dr Hugo Brand, Executive in the Municipal Manager David Joubert’s office, discusses how AI can play a role in the recruitment process.
According to Dr Brand, AI-based automation can help municipalities to find a fit between candidates and the job. Apart from building data to provide a more complete understanding of the job requirements and candidate profiles, an analysis of skills and experience can extend to intangibles such as values and cultural fit.
“Values do not only refer to organisational values because progressive municipalities also have brand values which connect with their audiences such as investors and residents. Both organisational values – an entities belief system – and brand values – what you mean to your communities and stakeholders – provides common purpose in a municipality. Employees are all different and we welcome diversity, but shared company and brand values unites us behind service delivery”.
An AI-based recruitment system can also help to remove bias towards certain candidates, shifting the emphasis to the best fit.
“AI for growth and development is still fairly new, but I can imagine that it can also help to identify areas that employees are struggling with and point them to learning or understanding aids which can switch the lights on for them”.
As a municipality, Weskus Distrik is an innovator in AI but acknowledges that the opportunities are so expansive that a complete overnight switchover is not on the cards. Rather, it’s about prioritising needs, and gaining an understanding of where and how AI can impact effectively on the municipality and ultimately, the community that it serves.
Dr Hugo Brand
Executive in the Municipal Managers Office.
Weskus Distrik Municipality.
