Civil Service Faststream What to expect How to

Civil Service Fast-stream What to expect & How to apply

The Civil Service • The Civil Service serves the Government of the day, developing and implementing policy, and delivering services to the public • Politically neutral and remains unchanged when the Government changes • Around 490, 000 civil servants working around the UK and abroad in over 100 departments and agencies • Working for the Civil Service means you are shaping how the country is run, and affecting the lives of everyone in the UK

The Civil Service Faststream • Accelerated training and development programme for those with the potential to become future leaders of the Civil Service • Sequence of postings (12 -18 mths), usually in one department, to develop skills and experience • Typically spend 2 -4 years on Faststream • Leave when promoted to Team Leader level • Ranked in the top 5 of the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers

Faststream schemes • Graduate Fast Stream – – – Central Departments (vast majority) European Fast Stream Houses of Parliament Science and Engineering Diplomatic Service • Also specialist schemes for Economists, Statisticians, HR and Technology in Business • Can apply to more than one scheme at once

Faststream advantages • • • Challenging work Immediate responsibility and autonomy Close contact with senior civil servants Often work with Ministers Management of people and resources Fast-paced responsive work Broad range of experience Valuable network of contacts Excellent training anddevelopment

What will you be doing? • Your Faststream career will be unique, depending on your interests, skills and experience, your department, and world events… • Three main types of posts: – Developing policy (policy delivery) – Delivering public services (operational delivery) – Corporate operations (finance, HR, Press…) • Tasks will change rapidly – must be adaptable • Some examples…

Ramin Hassan Department for Work and Pensions • Two years of policy work, currently working as an Advisory Services Manager at Cambridge Jobcentre Plus. • Manages around 30 staff delivering front-line services and administrative support. • Time is the main challenge for operations managers; balancing short term needs, against measures to improve longer term performance “Since joining the Civil Service, in August 2007, I have helped prepare Ministers and senior officials for appearances before Parliament, represented the UK at the UN on labour issues and now manage a large number of public-facing staff. The Fast Stream provides many such privileged opportunities in close succession, alongside generous training allowances. ”

Charlene Woolley HMRC • First placement in Customs & International Directorate - helped to implement the recommendations of the Cabinet Office report 'Security in a Global Hub' • Currently working on facilitating the transfer of staff, assets and budgets to UKBA. "I have watched key legislation relating to the project being debated in Lords. I have contributed to inter-departmental agreements, and had the opportunity to discuss changes with affected operational staff. I also regularly participate in director-level meetings".

Ayesha Ali Department for Transport • Economic appraisal of major rail projects • Impact assessments of EU related policies • Constant engagement with colleagues from policy and others from the rail industry. “Transport policy is an every day decision for people. This makes my work challenging but very rewarding when I see my ideas translate into everyday living”.

Development • Development focused on your needs • 15+ days of training per year – both to gain skills for the job and to gain wider personal skills • Opportunity for a mentor from Senior Civil Service • Opportunity for secondments to other Departments and Civil Service organisations, and externally, to gain wider experience • You need to continually learn and improve

Benefits • Competitive starting salary of £ 25, 000 – £ 27, 000, and choice of generous pension • 25+ days holiday and 10. 5 public holidays (2. 5 extra) • Supportive environment – flexible working, job shares, career breaks • Opportunity for regional and international jobs • Real benefits are the work itself • Each department determines detailed terms and conditions for its Faststreamers

Career • Civil Service is a professional and rewarding long-term career choice • Fast Stream develops you for the Senior Civil Service • Core competencies: – – analysis and use of evidence financial management people management project and programme management • Promotion on performance and competence – so need drive to gain breadth and depth of skills and experience

Application, selection & eligibility • Need a 2: 2 degree in any discipline for general scheme, other scheme requirements may vary • Majority of jobs open to European Economic Area and Commonwealth citizens; some UK national only jobs • Assessors have no background on candidates – committed to improving diversity, no discrimination

Application and selection • Starts in September with online verbal and numerical reasoning self-assessment • Half day e-tray exercise • One day assessment centre (group exercise, policy exercises, and interview) • Merit based assessment of: – – – drive for results learning and improving decision-making constructive thinking building productive relationships communicating with impact • Process may vary for other schemes

Next steps • Need to be able to give examples as evidence of competency at assessment centre • Seek to gain wider experience before applying – internships and temporary jobs, other activities • Information on main stream recruitment and other Civil Service graduate schemes at www. civilservice. gov. uk • More information on the Fast Stream at www. civilservice. gov. uk/faststream

Any questions? Thank you