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Sector Briefings - Public Administration & Services
For more information on the Public Administration & Services sector, download our print-ready PDF:
DownloadSector Briefing
The Public Administration & Services sector in Northern Ireland (commonly called the 'public sector') refers to all of the organisations and bodies funded by the government to provide services for our citizens.
This is a very broad and diverse sector that includes local government (Councils), central government (the Northern Ireland Civil Service), and other bodies such as the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Northern Ireland Police Service, and the Northern Ireland Fire Service.
Key facts
- The public sector is the largest employment sector in NI, with approx. 29% of the workforce employed in this sector.
- As of September 2021, there were 198,950 people employed in the public sector in Northern Ireland.
- The largest employer in the public sector is the Northern Ireland Civil Service, which employs around 23,000 people.
Skills & Attributes
As well as qualifications and experience, there’s a range of skills and attributes employers look for in their employees. These skills can help you succeed in many careers, but these are particularly useful for this sector:
- Communication Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Organisation Skills
- ICT Skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Conflict Management
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Public Administration & Services Employers
