Assessing the integration of digital competencies into civil service recruitment and training in Kazakhstan

Abstract

This study aims to assess how much digital skills are prioritized in public sector recruitment and identify key competency gaps among civil servants. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative content analysis of 408 job postings from the official e-qyzmet.kz platform and an online survey among 200 “B” corps civil servants in central and regional government bodies. Survey participants were selected using purposive and nested sampling, with balanced regional representation. The findings reveal that 66.9% of job postings do not specify digital skills as a requirement, and 60% of surveyed civil servants reported that digital competencies were not mandatory for employment. Furthermore, 54.5% of respondents encountered difficulties in using government digital systems due to either a lack of experience or inadequate training. Regional government employees face greater barriers to accessing digital training than central agencies. Despite ongoing e-government initiatives, 56.5% of civil servants have never received formal digital skills training after being hired. These results highlight a misalignment between Kazakhstan’s digital transformation strategy and actual human capital development in the civil service. They emphasize an urgent need to introduce a standardized competency framework and structured digital skill assessments in civil service recruitment and training. Addressing these gaps is essential to strengthening digital governance and ensuring that civil servants are adequately prepared to operate in an increasingly digital administrative environment.