Civil Service Fast Stream: There are a number of options. The Generalist Fast Stream is subdivided into four options: Central Departments (every major dept apart from Foreign & Commonwealth Office), Diplomatic Service, House of Parliament and Science & Engineering. In addition there is an Analytical Fast Stream, an HR Fast Stream, a Digital & Technology Fast Stream, a communications faststream, a European Fast Stream and a Northern Ireland Fast Stream.

In the Diplomatic Service Your first two years will be spent in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, one year delivering policy, the 2nd delivery service. You’ll then go abroad for a three or four year posting. In the House of Parliament, you’ll be joining several hundred parliamentary staff working in support of the business of the Houses, their committees and individual MPs and Members of the House of Lords. Science & Engineering is open to people with degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, computing or other numerate disciplines. Science and Engineering Fast Streamers (SEFSers) play an essential part in the government’s action on issues as diverse as climate change and nuclear non-proliferation.

The Central Departments option offers a standard four-year programme. In your first two years you will undertake a series of six month postings intended to give you a broad base of experience. You will experience at least four of: operational delivery, policy development, corporate services, people management, commercial awareness, financial management and project management. At the end of your first two years, you will transfer to another department which will employ you from then on, and where you will undertake two longer postings occupying the second two years of the programme.

The Analytical Fast Stream is aimed specifically at people who want a career as one of the following: an Economist in the GES, A statistician in the GSS, a social researcher in the GSR or an operational researcher in GORS. The HR Fast Stream is a three-year programme, which offers you the opportunity to train as an HR professional and prepares you for a range of senior HR roles.It consists of two 18-month placements in different but HR roles, usually in different government departments. As a TiB Fast Streamer, you will undertake a series of intensive placements, and will get to work with technology leaders across the public sector. The placements will be tailored so that you develop skills across a number of different IT areas.

The European Fast Stream is designed for people whose ultimate ambition is to work permanently for one of the EU institutions (such as the European Commission or European Parliament) and become a European civil servant. You will be based in a major UK government department with significant EU-related responsibilities. There you will benefit from EU-related postings and will also have the chance to work in the European Commission for five months on an internship (as long as you have not already worked there before). Your training will include intensive coaching in French or German. The NI Fast Stream is a demanding programme which offers you the opportunity to join the Civil Service at middle management level. This programme provides a wide variety of job opportunities. You could find yourself working on policy, operations, finance or in direct support of Ministers.

Learn more about The Civil Service assessment process and online tests HERE