The Civil Service Fast Stream is one of the most prestigious graduate schemes in the UK. With opportunities for long-term career development, a diverse range of work experience, and extensive leadership training, it’s hardly surprising that almost 40,000 people have applied each year for the past three years.
Steven Jarman, Assistant Director in Litigation Operations within the Home Office, joined the Fast Stream seven years ago as a recent graduate who began the application process in his final year of university. A 21-year-old history student at Reading University with an interest in the public sector, Steven was drawn to the government graduate scheme because it offered career development, engaging and interesting work, with a lot of personal support along the way.
The support from fellow fast streamers, the union, and management is an important part of the Civil Service graduate scheme, and “crucial to help people from diverse backgrounds,” Steven says. “That really sold it to me because knowing there was this network of support there, and the fact that everyone would be going through the same thing is something you really want from any graduate scheme.”
From the outset Steven says useful information about the Fast Stream is readily available. His starting point was the Times’ list of the top 100 graduate employers, and although the application process – with online tests and assessment centres – is fairly gruelling, there’s support along the way and plenty of information to demystify the job, which was “really important because it can be quite daunting if you’re fresh out of university”.
The Fast Stream has two services: corporate or analytical, and different sub sections within them. For example, within the analytical scheme you can go into the economic service, or alternatively, you can take the corporate route and choose the generalist scheme, like Steven, which offers great diversity and different opportunities to develop your skillset.
Steven, who graduated from the scheme over two years ago, says the Fast Stream helps to “facilitate your movements around the Civil Service, to help you get that broad breadth of skills which is crucial for your future career in the Civil Service”. He started working on bailiff regulations, moved onto corporate finance in his second year; by his third year he was managing 50 staff in two county courts, and a magistrates’ court in South East Surrey, and then worked as a deputy bill manager on the Crime and Courts Act 2013. It is certainly a diverse CV, and the Fast Stream enables you to explore multiple avenues of work. “I don’t think two fast streamers will have similar experiences, and that’s great because it means you can almost tailor the scheme to your own means,” he said.
Steven spent about a year with one department as a fast streamer, but in 2013 the scheme changed to a more structured timetable. Graduates spend the first two years on four six-month assignments in at least two government departments, followed by two year-long placements. There is still a major focus on building a wide skillset for career development within the Civil Service. Steven says: “The Fast Stream gives you the skills you need to be able to apply for more senior roles. The breadth of experience gives you a great foundation.”
The Fast Stream is a development programme “designed for future leaders”, says Steven. “The more senior you become, the greater skillset you need. It really does prepare graduates for senior leadership roles within the Civil Service.”
As soon as you start the programme you are given responsibility, but you’re not just thrown into the deep end. The programme is about training, and “there are a lot of conversations before you take up a new post”, Steven says. “You’re actively encouraged to think about your career development and what your skillset is.” Steven moved from policy to finance to operations, and back to policy, building confidence and experience in each post.
While you’re encouraged to think about career development, Steven insists there are no “right or wrong answers” when you’re asked where you want to be in five, 10 or 20 years time. “One of the great pieces of advice I received from my mentor was: ‘don’t be in a hurry; really enjoy the experience’. And I really took that to heart – everyone has bad days but I loved every minute of it.” He adds: “It was always a challenge, but it always kept you interested and engaged.”
The greatest challenge for Steven was his final Fast Stream role working on the Crime and Courts Act 2013, taking forward a flagship government bill. “You were very much in the spotlight; it was great that it was my fourth year posting so I had all this experience to put into action.”
He adds: “I never dreamed growing up that this is something I’d be doing but I’m glad I ended up in the Civil Service. For me it’s not about going home saying I made ‘X’ amount of money today; more importantly it is about making a difference.”
What’s equally important for Steven however, are the relationships he’s formed from the scheme. “One of the things I got out of it, which I never thought I would, was a really close knit group of friends.
“And my mentor who was assigned to me at the start has been with me the whole way through, and I still bounce ideas off him.”
The application deadline has been extended to the 30 November, and Steven advises anyone who wants to make a difference in society to apply. “Don’t be put off by any misconception of Oxbridge public school applicants,” he says. You need a 2.2 in any degree to apply for the majority of the schemes, which encourages a diverse range of candidates with different skillsets.
But you also need to be dedicated. It’s a fast-paced working environment, so Steven suggests you should be prepared to put in the time to immerse yourself into the different roles and get the most out of it. “I honestly think, whatever department you’re working in, they’re really supportive employers and you get a great job, and a job where you can actually make a difference.”
For roles in the Civil Service, please visit: https://jobs.theguardian.com/employer/209848/civil-service-fast-stream/
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