Fast Stream Civil Servant

Each year, a number of graduates enter the Civil Service through its Fast Stream accelerated development programme. Fast Streamers are involved in supporting the work of ministers, helping to plan and implement government policies, being part of a team delivering large-scale projects, and researching the latest technologies.

Work activities

People who enter the Civil Service through the Fast Stream are guaranteed a series of intensive job placements designed to prepare them for senior managerial positions. Postings typically last 12 to 18 months, after which people move on to another project or area of work. Secondment opportunities are also available with most departments and are actively encouraged. Fast Streamers could find themselves working abroad, in business or industry, or in another government department.

Fast Streamers can apply for a range of different schemes. Several offer the opportunity to study for a professional qualification. Most provide a series of postings with different government departments, at rotating locations. Some provide a more immersive experience with greater flexibility about postings and rotations.

There are 15 different schemes on the Fast Stream, each with high-quality, structured learning and a career path within a government profession:

Commercial.
Digital, data and technology.
Diplomatic Service.
Diplomatic Service – economics
Finance.
Generalist.
Government Economics Service
Government operational research
Government social research
Government Statistical Service
Houses of Parliament
Human resources
Project delivery
Property.
Science and engineering

As Fast Streamers progress through their career, they are likely to lead projects, manage multi-million-pound budgets or negotiate on behalf of the UK internationally. You might be:

Responsible for drafting a government “white paper” or outlining a new policy.
Playing a role in defending national security, ensuring that the armed forces receive the best possible equipment and advice.
Helping to create policy by working closely with experts from research, academic and business backgrounds.
Working on areas such as renewable energy, innovation, sustainable development or bioscience.
Involved in forming the UK’s foreign policy and protecting Britain’s international interests.
Providing expert advice to ministers on a wide range of economic issues.

Personal qualities and skills

The Fast Stream programme is very demanding. Potential candidates for the Fast Stream must demonstrate the core competencies required. It is important that people can demonstrate the ability to:

Analyse and weigh up complex and weighty documents.
Deal with conflicting opinions and advice to make a decision based on evidence.
Deliver results.
Write balanced and concise reports.
Hold and delegate authority.
Enjoy responsibility.
Manage various stakeholders and resources.
Communicate and work well with other people at all levels – junior staff members, colleagues, external stakeholders and ministers.
Develop the skills to run and manage large-scale projects.

You’ll need to be able to:

Work effectively under pressurised situations.
Plan, prioritise and review tasks.
Think creatively and flexibly.
Work effectively as a team member, building constructive working relationships.
Persuade and influence others.
Make recommendations and firm decisions, and accept responsibility for them.
Pay close attention to detail, while at the same time seeing the bigger picture.

You should be able to demonstrate:

Leadership.
Interpersonal and communication skills; you’ll need to be articulate.
Confidence.
Self-awareness.
Interest in the government’s decision-making process.
IT skills.
Commitment to learning and improving.

Language skills and an interest in foreign affairs are useful in the Diplomatic Service. Other Fast Stream schemes require specific skills. Further details can be found on the Fast Stream website.

Pay and opportunities

Starting scales and pay arrangements vary with the department and location. As of January 2024, the starting salary was £31,186, with earning potential on completion of the scheme up to £55,000.

Hours of work are usually 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. However, Fast Stream trainees working in ministerial offices can expect to work longer hours than their colleagues. Flexible working arrangements include part-time work and job-sharing.

What’s happening in this work area?

The Civil Service Fast Stream programme recruits around 1,000 graduates a year. Competition for posts is strong. There are usually thousands of applicants for the posts available each year.

Where could I work?

A wide range of government departments employ Fast Stream civil servants. These include:

Cabinet Office.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
Home Office.
Ministry of Defence.

Opportunities for Fast Stream civil servants occur in towns and cities throughout the UK, although many government departments still have their headquarters in London.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are posted for online application on the Fast Stream website, generally between September and November each year for a start date the following year. Some schemes might also advertise vacancies between February and April.

Entry routes and training

To apply to the Civil Service Graduate Fast Stream, you will need at least a 2:2 degree; 2:1 in many areas. The Civil Service offers the paid Summer Internship Programme for undergraduates. Further details are on the Fast Stream website. For most posts, you will need to be a UK national.

The selection procedure involves various stages. The first stage involves a work-style questionnaire and online tests, including numerical reasoning. The next stage includes work-based scenarios made up of a case study and learning assessment. This is followed by a half-day virtual assessment centre, reflecting elements of the Fast Stream role and consisting of a leadership scenario, a team scenario and a written scenario. Most schemes conclude with a final selection board.

Training: People in the Civil Service Fast Stream follow a personally tailored programme of training, lasting a number of years. Most of the training is practical, through a series of work placements. These will be supplemented by attendance at selected training courses. Depending on your area of work, you might also have the opportunity to study for professional qualifications, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a professional accountancy qualification.

Fast Streamers are expected to progress to senior management positions in the Civil Service.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in any subject, the usual minimum requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.

Alternatives to A-levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, course requirements vary so check prospectuses carefully.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Access courses: If you don’t have the usual qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

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