Public Sector 2016 Think about the most important things that make our society run. The Public Sector will have something to do with almost all of them. Working in the, you ll be able to develop a career that has a real impact on how the country is run. In association with: THE CIVIL SERVICE In the UK the major player in the is the Civil Service, which is involved in helping the government of the day implement its policies across many areas from policing and health to transport and education. Although it serves the government of the time, the Civil Service is politically independent. As a job sector it offers a wide range of different careers and it currently includes 25 professions to choose from. 400,000 people work in the Civil Service across a wide variety of roles nationally and, in some cases, internationally. There is still the traditional university route into many of the professions, but for School Leavers the Civil Service has a good apprenticeship option as an alternative and brilliant route into a career.
Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship More and more professions are creating structured apprenticeship routes into their professions. As a route that offers people the chance to earn while they learn, it is perfect for those who have a clear career goal in mind. The Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship is a two-year programme offering a real alternative to university. Through the scheme you ll gain : Valuable real-life work experience A Level 4 Apprenticeship A springboard into a Civil Service career Your role will involve real responsibility from day one. You ll join at Executive Officer grade and will earn a minimum salary of 19,000, wage increases dependent on location and department. It is a great opportunity for school leavers and non-graduates.
The apprenticeship covers five areas you can work in : Business : Business roles are at the core of the work the Civil Service does and the business apprenticeship scheme offers a wide variety of posts across the organisation. You ll be working within an exciting and fast-paced environment and have the opportunity to develop valuable skills in organisation, planning and problemsolving. Teamwork and collaboration are essential in all business areas. Often the role of a business apprentice is to support this collaboration and help bring teams together. For example, you could be organising meetings or managing communications. A significant number of the business apprentice roles are also dynamic and customer-facing. Commercial : The commercial apprenticeship is an opportunity to develop the specialist skills that are increasingly recognised by employers as the most valuable across all sectors. These skills are especially important in the the government spends 240 billion every year, which is a huge budget to be responsible for. Commercial professionals work on some of the most challenging and interesting projects in government. There s an incredible range of experience available in the different posts, from procuring prisons for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to buying battleships in the Ministry of Defence (MoD). You ll receive plenty of support as you develop your abilities and build your professional networks. Digital and Technology : The cross-sector demand for skills in digital and technology have never been greater and the Fast Track apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to earn a good salary while you learn these valuable skills. As government increasingly embraces new digital methods and platforms in order to transform the services it provides to the public, there has never been a more exciting time to get involved in technology within the Civil Service. The skills you ll learn on the scheme will set you up for a rewarding career either in or outside the Civil Service.
Finance : The finance scheme is a structured, bespoke, Level 4 apprenticeship programme. As a finance apprentice you ll gain invaluable experience and skills and set strong foundations for the rest of your career. The programme also offers you a unique opportunity to make a difference, to contribute to strong financial management within government and to help make sure that we deliver value for money for the taxpayer. Project Delivery : The government is responsible for a diverse range of projects often on a very large scale and of great complexity. Project delivery apprentices have an unrivalled opportunity to learn the valuable skills and experience they ll need to develop excellent careers in project management. You ll be working with experienced project delivery professionals from day one and have the opportunity to learn from their experience. You ll work across a range of roles gathering some core skills which may include project reporting, project risk or project finance. A Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship is a great stepping stone into the with those who successfully complete it being offered a permanent role in the Civil Service.
Applications for the 2016 intake will be open in March 2016. For further information including eligibility requirements and updates on the next application window please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-fast-track-apprenticeship. Other routes click Civil Service Fast Stream for graduates If you want to take the university route there is another Civil Service scheme that s perfect for after you graduate.far from your average graduate scheme, the Fast Stream programme offers talented and ambitious graduates an accelerated route to leadership within the Civil Service. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to take on some of the biggest social, economic, political and security challenges facing the UK today and the chance to make a real difference in people s lives. More info www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-fast-stream
Public sector Apprentice Case Study In association with: Ayath Ullah Former Apprentice Ayath Ullah talks gives his perspective on life after the Fast Track Former Apprentice How did you find the Fast Track Apprenticeship Programme? No two days are ever the same and every day brings with it a unique set of challenges. This is a real alternative to a university education and I am constantly 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 form an early age and set a good foundation for a fruitful career in the Civil Service. The Civil Service is a vibrant & dynamic place to work and very few employers can match what it has to offer - both in terms of breadth and depth. How did you find studying alongside working and earning? It can be very difficult to manage the demands of a full time job and two qualifications at the same time. The most important thing is to manage your time well, give it your best shot and not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Do you think the apprenticeship was a genuine alternative to university? As I ve not been to university I m unsure as to which route is best and so cannot compare. University is not for everyone and nor is a job straight after A-levels. Either way it s important to choose what s genuinely best for you.
Public sector Apprentice Case Study What are you doing now that you have completed the Fast Track? Having completed the two year programme, I have now secured a new role on promotion working as a Business Analyst. As part of my role I am responsible for creating two new directorates within our department which will help us build on our customer centric business strategy - where the citizen is placed the heart of all we do. I also develop management information systems to monitor performance against monthly targets. As we are changing the way we work and getting smaller I have been involved in how best to shape the makeup of our workforce over the next Parliament and beyond. What was your one key highlight from your apprenticeship? It can be very difficult to manage the demands of a full time job and two qualifications at the same time. The most important thing is to manage your time well, give it your best shot and not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There s never been a better time to join the Civil Service - it s going through some of the most radical reforms to date, and you can be part of that process. It is an opportunity to be of service & play your part in public life. For people who are eager to learn and serious about building a career in the there are always opportunities to shine and develop yourself. You get the best of both worlds as you study for qualifications whilst still doing a day job. Apprentices are very much a talent pipeline for government departments, which means the investment made in you is a serious commitment to you from your department. Each generation of ministers, leaders and employees will make their own valuable contribution to the Civil Service before handing over the stewardship of our critical national duty to the next generation if you want to play your part in that then I would highly recommend joining.
Public sector Apprentice Case Study Elyssia Dunmore Apprentice Elyssia Dunmore explains why the Fast Track Apprenticeship is a genuine alternative to university. Apprentice What are the first words that come to mind when you hear the word apprenticeship? A low wage? Manual work? Making tea? This is a common view - and one even I used to hold. But becoming a Fast Track Apprentice in 2015 completely changed my opinions. What is your apprenticeship like? I was placed in the Fraud and Error Service within the Department for Work and Pensions. What really struck me from day one was how much responsibility I was given. You enter the Civil Service as an Executive Officer (EO) - which is three grades up, depending on the department. As well as the more traditional activities such as jobshadowing, you represent your team at meetings, deal with customers inside and outside of your immediate department, and in some cases the work you do links directly back to Parliament. I ve never been treated differently to any other employee due to being an apprentice. I ve been given the same opportunities to contribute to pieces of work as anybody else. The only difference I found is that the management teams understand you have competing priorities with your apprenticeship, and they re often wiling to adapt your workload accordingly.
More useful resources Need more help with your careers choices? You can find a wealth of help and opportunities at the following places : civil service Fast Track Apprenticeships We recruit the best and brightest individuals and provide them with the skills, knowledge and experience they need for a successful career in the Civil Service. TM TheBigChoice.com student & graduate jobs TheBigChoice.com Find quality advice and opportunities in apprenticeships, part-time jobs and training on this youth careers portal. School Leavers Guide This interactive app guide brings together expert advice, guidance on career steps and positions from top employers via your tablet or smartphone. National Careers Service The official place for careers advice and information in the UK. National Apprenticeship Service Everything you need on apprenticeships and the best vacancies on offer.