More civil service apprenticeships for talented young people
The number of places on the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme will be doubled to 400 in 2015.
The chance of a challenging and rewarding career in the civil service is available for hundreds of talented school-leavers who choose not to take the university route to employment.
Launched in 2013, the Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme offers 18 to 21 year olds the opportunity to earn as they learn, working at the heart of government in Executive Officer roles with real responsibility. They may be developing business policy in Sheffield, helping people into work in Birmingham, or dealing with ministers in Whitehall.
Register your interest in applying for the 2015 Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme.
Our Fast Track Apprentices benefit from a structured, 2 year training programme. The apprenticeship provides a Level 4 qualification in business administration, IT or finance and the opportunity to develop a range of skills. At the end of the scheme, they will have the opportunity to apply internally to become permanent employees for other civil service career opportunities.
Applications for the 200 places on the 2014 scheme (up from 100 places in 2013) rose by 30%. The successful applicants will be welcomed to the civil service at a London induction event in September.
For the 2015 intake, the number of places on offer will double again to 400, making the scheme one of the largest of its kind. We aim to increase the number of places available each year to 500.
Apprenticeships are part of the government’s plans to increase opportunities in the civil service for people of all backgrounds and create a civil service fit for 21st century Britain.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:
As part of our long-term economic plan, we are working to reform the civil service. Like any big organisation, its success depends on its people. The civil service already employs some of Britain’s brightest, but our recruitment must attract more of the very best regardless of their background. That’s why we launched Fast Track Apprenticeships. This year, 200 places in 7 parts of England are being filled by talented school leavers. If you decide not to go to university, this is a route into a civil service role, parallel to the existing and highly regarded graduate scheme.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood said:
Alongside our well-established and respected Fast Stream entry route, the Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme offers a real alternative to school-leavers who choose not to go to university but have what it takes to build a career in one of the many and varied roles available in the civil service. They will develop the skills that will help us compete in the global marketplace. Register now to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity.
Current Fast Track Apprentice Ayath Ullah is working on enforcement and compliance in the Planning Governance and Capability group at HM Revenue & Customs:
This is a real alternative to a university education and I am learning new things every day. I resigned from a job in the City to join the scheme because I knew it was one of the best on the market to develop myself from an early age and set a good foundation for a fruitful career in the civil service.
Read more about Civil Service Apprenticeships.