For many university-leavers across the country, autumn represents the transition from student life to the world of work. After three or four years at university, graduate schemes begin in earnest, as young degree-holders set their minds to the excitement that accompanies any person’s first foray into professional life. The paths to entry are well-trodden, the information available to guide decision-making is extensive and the opportunities available are numerous.
But autumn is important for others, too. It is also the time of year at which many new school-leavers set out on their own journeys. Each year thousands of young people decide, having finished their ‘A’ levels, to enter employment and begin to really hone the sorts of professional skills required to forge a fulfilling career. For these young people, opportunities are less clearly-defined and as a result lots of people in the 18-21 age bracket aren’t aware of the possibilities that are open to them.
I strongly believe that this bias works to the disadvantage of many really talented, young people. Until we begin to properly draw from this wide and varied pool of talent, we will be weaker as an organisation than we otherwise could be. I am determined that we buck this trend.
For this reason, I am thrilled to be in attendance for the launch of the new Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme today in Marble Arch. The Scheme aims to attract the best and brightest school leavers to work at the heart of government – departments will be able to tap into the large number of 18–21 year olds who have the talent and ambition to embark on a career in the Civil Service.
Reflecting back on my own school years, I know just how important schemes like this are – I took the decision at eighteen to go to university and study Mathematics, but many of my peers decided that the academic route was not one they wished to pursue. In the present day, young people who feel that university is not for them are in danger of missing out in a job market which places absolute importance on a degree-level education.
The Government’s ambition is to ensure that people of all ages possess the skills that they need to succeed, and which employers need to prosper. The Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme will enable young people embarking on a career in the Civil Service to benefit from a broad range of training throughout the course of the two-year programme. The Scheme will run alongside, rather than instead of, departmental apprenticeship schemes in order to ensure that we are able to draw upon the greatest number of young people possible.
The Civil Service is uniquely-placed to offer a great career path to those who opt to join. A real variety of work is underpinned by investment in personal development to ensure people can achieve their full potential. Our organisation can also count amongst its selling points opportunities that do not exist anywhere else; the chance to experience life at the heart of government – and to work alongside some of the most important people in the country – is reserved for those who decide to join our numbers.
In the Graduate Fast Stream we already have a truly exceptional programme for young entrants into the Civil Service. Only a few weeks ago, the Fast Stream was ranked 5th in The Times Top 100 list of UK employers, for instance. What we must now do is ensure that the Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme achieves the same recognition –drawing upon the brightest and the best from both academic and non-academic backgrounds is the formula for a stronger and more skilled civil service.
I am passionate about ensuring that anyone with drive and talent has the opportunity to work for our organisation. Whether they go to university or not all young people should have the opportunity for a career in the Civil Service.
2 comments
Comment by George Cumberlidge posted on
Fast track should not be limited to 18-21 year olds. Many students who missed out on University first time around,for a variety of reasons but have at a later stage in their life gone to university as a mature student are being excluded from key government oportunities by age alone.
This is unfair and also limits the talent within government as it excludes an age group who can bring a work place experience + academic excellance to the Civil Service
Comment by Ayath posted on
Hi George,
We do have a scheme in the CS for those who have gone onto university to graduate with a degree whether that's at 21 or 51. Please take a look at the Fast Stream site for more info:
http://faststream.civilservice.gov.uk/about-fast-stream/is-fast-stream-for-me/
"As long as you meet our nationality and immigration requirements, to join most Fast Stream schemes all you need is a second-class degree in any subject. There is no age limit and it doesn't matter how long ago you graduated."
Also several departments have specialist schemes which run throughout the year e.g. HMRC's Tax Professional programme.
I hope this answers your query.