Atidim Cadets for Public Service is an ambitious program, dedicated to improving the face of the public sector in Israel by training and cultivating leadership groups and professional management in the field of public administration. The program is intended for young people of the social and geographic periphery, with high personal and academic potential and proven leadership abilities, who are interested in helping change the face of Israeli society by serving in significant roles in the public sector (government ministries and local authorities).
“Winds of Change” - Changing the face of the public sector
The program began with an initiative by the “Winds of Change,” a group of leading business people with national and social responsibility who decided to cultivate and develop quality young leadership for the public sector. The group chose “Atidim” to direct this unique project. In order to make this program possible, a partnership was created with the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance, which recognized the enormous importance of training candidates for public service positions, and Hebrew University’s School of Public Policy which is committed to providing program participants with formal training and deep relevant theoretical knowledge for public administration.
Additional Partners
Ministry of Finance - Budget Department, local government and regional authority representatives, private business representatives (“Winds of Change,” McKinsey & Company and others), the Jewish Agency for Israel, Friends of "Atidim,” Gandyr Foundation, student representatives and other partners who have extended their friendship to the program.
The program is recognized by the Government of Israel as being of national importance.
The Target Population
The program focuses on quality young people from the social and geographic periphery who are initiators, who have leadership abilities and the ability to influence others, and who are able to communicate openly and cultivate cooperation while working as a member of a team. The program accepts young people who are interested in being involved in setting policy and who can prove the desire and the ability to influence policy from within the system.
Only the best are accepted
Atidim Cadets for Public Service is a demanding program and requires complete commitment from each student. Candidates undergo a comprehensive and thorough selection process, held jointly with the Civil Service Commission, Friends of “Atidim” and the Hebrew University.
The first selection review examines whether the candidate meets the program’s basic requirements: residence and economic status, military or national service (or an exemption due to objective reasons), social involvement and acceptance to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In the second selection stage, the program candidates take a civil service commission psychometric exam, similar to the exam given to candidates for civil service.
In the third and final stage, the participants must pass a group interview and an in-depth personal interview, both designed to identify their potential for junior management. This process is conducted by the Civil Service Commission, Friends of “Atidim” and representatives of the public sector and the Hebrew University.
The student receives
· A full scholarship for the entire period
· A monthly stipend for living expenses
· A portable computer
· Tutoring and professional and social mentoring
The student commits
· To maintain an appropriate grade average during their academic and non-academic studies as defined by the program and the university
· To fully participate in all parts of the program – academic and extra-curricular
· To work in the public service for at least 5 years after completing the program
The training process
The academic program combines BA studies in a variety of fields, with a full course load at the School of Public Policy at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. In addition, students participate in extra-curricular activities which include exposure to the public sector in Israel and abroad, and practical training in the public sector during the last two years of the program.
The program offers a BA from the Hebrew University in a variety of fields such as economics, law, accounting, international relations and political science – according to the student’s choice. One condition of being accepted to the program is that the candidate be accepted to the Hebrew University. A further requirement is that they carry a full course load in public policy (40 academic credits) in the framework of the School of Public Policy.
The success of the program, beyond the success of the individual graduates, will be expressed by the influence projected on and changes to the public sector. Our goal is to include 50 new students in the program each year, in order to create a critical mass of graduates who will assume significant roles in public service positions and who will exert their influence on the administration and management of the public sector from within the system.
Did you know?
· The program began operating in 2003 with 30 students; now, in 2007, it includes 89 students and 26 graduates
· The first participants graduated in the summer of 2006 and now are assuming public sector positions
· Program participants include 4 Druze, 4 Ethiopian and 2 Arab Israeli students
· 43% of the participants are women
Return to the top page | 
