To improve the appeal of the public sector and offer young people the opportunity to gain professional experience while actively shaping their country’s trajectory, the United Kingdom runs the Civil Service Fast Stream Programme. The Civil Service is one of the largest employers in the United Kingdom. The Fast Stream is a graduate programme that accelerates the careers of young people through developing their skills, knowledge and networks and cultivating future leaders in the public sector. With opportunities across various government departments and varying length of placements, the Fast Stream offers a diverse range of roles. With an emphasis on diversity and inclusivity and commitment to enabling individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and those who have faced disadvantage to excel in public service workforce, Civil Service seeks to deliver better outcomes to the citizens they serve.
Civil Service Fast Stream – United Kingdom
Abstract
Civil Service Fast Stream is available for undergraduates in their final year of studies, graduates or those pursuing a degree or apprenticeship. The programme values individual skills, potential and aptitude, and it ensures that educational degree does not create a barrier to eligibility. The programme offers 15 different schemes to choose from when applying, on topics including digital, data, technology and cyber, diplomacy, finance, economics, science and engineering, policy and operational delivery. Action Learning Sets (ALS) and group sessions with a Skills and Capability Manager are organised for participants to develop their skills. The programme provides support for personal development, including access to e-learning, volunteering opportunities and job shadowing experiences and also provides opportunities for flexible working. Moreover, the UK Civil Service Fast Stream is an accredited Disability Confident Leader with several awards on diversity and inclusion. It is also recognised as a high-quality graduate employer in independent rankings (e.g. The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers). A summer internship programme is also available for undergraduate students from all backgrounds to experience a career in the Civil Service for two months. Following their internship, they can undertake the Fast Pass, which is a quicker route to Fast Stream selection.
The impact of the Fast Stream and Fast Track Apprenticeship is measured using key performance indicators aligned with strategic objectives that are monitored by the Research and Analysis team within Fast Stream and Early Talent. The number of applicants has risen steadily, from 40 570 in 2017 to 59 603 in 2021. The number of applicants recommended for appointment has also followed a general upward trend since 2011, reaching a high of 1 072 in 2021. In terms of diversity, 29.6% of applicants in 2021 were from minority ethnic groups, 12.7% were people with disabilities and 14.2% identified with the LGBTQ+1 community. Additionally, 88.7% of applicants were below 29 years old, highlighting a focus on attracting young people. The programme organises Discovery Events which are information sessions at schools. These sessions have been effective, with a majority of students expressing interest in a civil service career after graduation and 92% of attendees reporting increased understanding of civil service work. Participants’ testimonies highlight that the Fast Stream programme has been an opportunity for them to acquire new skills, gain confidence, accelerate their professional development and discover a new career path.
Further reading
Civil Service (2022), Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: 2022 to 2025; Civil Service Fast Stream (2021), Annual report on recruitment data; Civil Service Fast Stream (n.d.), All Schemes; Civil Service Fast Stream (n.d.), Summer Internship Programme; Civil Service Fast Stream (n.d.), What is the Civil Service?; Civil Service HR (2018), Civil Service Fast Stream: Annual Report 2017 and 2018.
This practice also supports the implementation of provisions III.1 and III.3 of the OECD Recommendation on Creating Better Opportunities for Young People.
This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
Note by the Republic of Türkiye The information in this document with reference to “Cyprus” relates to the southern part of the Island. There is no single authority representing both Turkish and Greek Cypriot people on the Island. Türkiye recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Until a lasting and equitable solution is found within the context of the United Nations, Türkiye shall preserve its position concerning the “Cyprus issue”.
Note by all the European Union Member States of the OECD and the European Union The Republic of Cyprus is recognised by all members of the United Nations with the exception of Türkiye. The information in this document relates to the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
© OECD 2024
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
This work is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. By using this work, you accept to be bound by the terms of this licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Attribution – you must cite the work.
Translations – you must cite the original work, identify changes to the original and add the following text: In the event of any discrepancy between the original work and the translation, only the text of original work should be considered valid.
Adaptations – you must cite the original work and add the following text: This is an adaptation of an original work by the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed in this adaptation should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its Member countries.
Third-party material – the licence does not apply to third-party material in the work. If using such material, you are responsible for obtaining permission from the third party and for any claims of infringement.
You must not use the OECD logo, visual identity or cover image without express permission or suggest the OECD endorses your use of the work.
Any dispute arising under this licence shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Arbitration Rules 2012. The seat of arbitration shall be Paris (France). The number of arbitrators shall be one.
← 1. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, plus other identities.