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Original poster

Civil Service Fast Stream

212 replies

Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 07:02

Has anyone got any experience or advice about applying for this? My son has just graduated from a prestigious university and is going back to do a masters next year. He is planning to apply to the civil service fast stream in October and is very motivated and excited by this prospect. He is highly intelligent, with excellent grades and good work experience and is a hardworking, very likeable young man who is committed to the idea of using his life to provide public service. He is not motivated by money, he just wants to be of benefit of others, but he does need to earn enough money to live obviously. I know he would be an asset to the civil service but as a white, middle class man with a humanities degree I feel as though the odds are stacked against him before he even applies. I haven’t mentioned this to him, of course, and I am just a passive spectator to his life now really, but if there was any help or advice I could give him it would be much appreciated.

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Doraymefarsolateado · 01/08/2025 18:33

Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:21

I’m not what you think I am at all - and my son most certainly isn’t. I guess I was just a bit anxious this morning that’s all, sorry.

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I do hope that’s the case and if you are an anxious parent then I do have empathy for you, although my sentiment is the same.

I am middle class (in adulthood) and my children go to private school. I have no worries for their future - they will find their place on their own merits and I do not pretend that there lives are disadvantaged. I despise the culture wars nonsense which is perpetuating damaging and divisive lies.

For what it’s worth I used to be a member of the senior civil servant and joined as a fast streamer and believe it be a very worthwhile career. Good luck to your son.

Squarealarmclock · 01/08/2025 17:26

I finished the fast stream a year or so ago - it was mainly white middle class people, more than 50% men, so I dont think that'll hold him back!

TizerorFizz · 01/08/2025 17:21

@BoredZelda They want to recruit dc of people who frequent food banks? I think they really want to get up to the national figure of 25% of dc on fsm. They have 18% of applicants on fsm at the moment. Personally I don’t see why enacting government policy has much to do with fsm or food bank familiarity. It’s just virtue signalling.

PearlStork · 01/08/2025 14:24

@Jakolantern what streams is he interested in?

Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 14:19

guestusername · 01/08/2025 08:47

What’s stopping him from applying for CS outside of fast stream?

Nothing.

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Imicola · 01/08/2025 14:11

Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 11:49

The masters runs from September 25 to July 26. Applications open in October 25 and they are at least partially aimed at final year students so I guess the fast stream begins in September 26, but I don’t actually know that for sure.

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Yes, our placements begin in October and there is a fairly long process in advance, including security vetting. So he'll be applying this year to join next year after the summer period.

Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 14:03

BoredZelda · 01/08/2025 11:35

Which is, of course, the point of the OP’s post.

It does make me laugh when people start to lament how “difficult” things may be for white middle class men.

@Jakolantern, don’t you worry, he’ll be able to be a do gooder, helping out those poor people if that’s what he really wants. How about he volunteers at a food bank in his spare time. Maybe then he will get some insight into how hard it is to not be a white middle class man and actually be the kind of person the Civil Service is trying to recruit.

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He does volunteer at a food bank actually.

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 14:01

Roseblooms7 · 01/08/2025 09:26

Yeah must admit the lazy journo got me. I answered in good grace. Silly me!!

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Don’t worry I’m not a journalist.

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 13:58

MoveOverToTheSea · 01/08/2025 11:52

Like most graduate schemes…

You start applying in October 25 to start your job in September 26.
Thats not particular to CS.
I assume he’ll be applying to other graduate jobs anyway?

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Yes, that’s the plan!

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 13:57

80smonster · 01/08/2025 09:24

Did your DS go to private school and a Russell Group uni?

Not private school, but RG uni.

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titchy · 01/08/2025 13:40

OP also worth adding that the assessments for each stage of the FS application process are the same regardless of schme applied for (and you apply for up to 4).

TizerorFizz · 01/08/2025 13:02

@Jakolantern If you look at the very comprehensive data on recruitment to the fast track last year, you will see that 50% are already stem. It’s worth looking at these stats because it helps you get a handle on who gets recruited. It’s still 2.2% of applicants though! However loads of applicants have not just graduated and the scientists can get into very good jobs via other work. DDs friend went to Japan to work to learn Japanese and got into CS fast stream. It’s not just for 21/22 year olds.

TizerorFizz · 01/08/2025 12:56

@Annoyeddd The media is reporting jobs of parents when applicant is 14.

ColdTofuSandwich · 01/08/2025 12:54

Allthecolours2025 · 01/08/2025 12:35

Many senior civil servants originally joined the civil service via this route. It’s a route in if Fast Stream is unsuccessful. There are AO, HEO, SEO roles publicly advertised. Obviously some roles require evidence of certain experience or skills sets which recent graduates may not have. Unfair to suggest it’s bad advice per se.

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The recently retired Perm Sec at HMRC started as an AA so it’s absolutely possible.

Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:43

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 01/08/2025 08:24

What’s th e point in the masters?

He wants to do it because he loves it. He is genuinely passionate and fascinated by what he is studying and his undergraduate studies have stimulated his intellectual curiosity so much that he really wants to delve deeper. Financially I am not convinced there is any benefit in doing it. It was his choice.

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Allthecolours2025 · 01/08/2025 12:35

DalstonsRhubarb · 01/08/2025 12:02

This is really bad advice. The fast stream is designed to get you ready for a g7 role, with specific training aimed at this and a structured programme. Going in as an AA and trying to work your way up would be madness, take years and be utterly depressing.

The CS is absolutely packed with white middle class men. You are worrying about nothing.

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Many senior civil servants originally joined the civil service via this route. It’s a route in if Fast Stream is unsuccessful. There are AO, HEO, SEO roles publicly advertised. Obviously some roles require evidence of certain experience or skills sets which recent graduates may not have. Unfair to suggest it’s bad advice per se.

Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:34

boredsolicitor · 01/08/2025 08:02

My DD2 joined the fast stream last year and is loving it . The process was long , I think. 6 or 7 different parts to the assessment starting with a maths assessment then some problem solving case study type things . There was an assessment day with other applicants where they had to work as a group . Then a q/a by teams and last stage was an interview panel of some sort - all by teams.
she approached it on the basis of the stats that she would be unsuccessful but would give it her very best shot for the experience.
she is white middle class -2:1 from Russell group uni.
the experience and training she is getting so far in her first year is amazing -.she is well supported and there is a good social vibe with others in the fast stream as they are in a little work group for continuing development. Only draw back is having to move jobs ( and may be move) at the end of the year but she did get to express a preference and got what she wanted . Pay is ok ish but not great compared to other grad schemes but there’s a good path to promotion and the funded training will enable her to jump ship.into the private sector if necessary.She also really likes the people she’s working with and respects them as hard working knowledgeable professionals but also just really nice people . Good luck to your son - loads of her cohort are same demographics as him so I honestly don’t think it will be a barrier .

Thank you. Well done to your daughter!

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Annoyeddd · 01/08/2025 12:33

How do they decide working class?
Looking around ours and DC's friends
A couple gave up highly paid city jobs age around 50 - good pay off - so technically unemployed
Another was asked at interview which newspapers their family read (depended on which ones mum brought home from office cleaning job)
Another had professional parents but grandmother would get a slap on hands for making mistakes at work while training

PearlStork · 01/08/2025 12:32

There is a push to move CS jobs out of London. If successful you get to state 3 preferences for areas and apparently you've a better chance to get outside of London these days. However you do need to be willing to move on early years.

ColdTofuSandwich · 01/08/2025 12:31

If hes good enough nothing else will matter. There is a push on social mobility in the CS but that won’t disadvantage him.

Its incredibly competitive though, and often the best candidates have some work experience behind them rather than straight out of uni.

I was straight out of uni but that was over 20 years ago and I’d worked throughout my studies. It’s even more difficult now.

Theteenandme · 01/08/2025 12:29

Zanatdy · 01/08/2025 11:47

That stat does not reflect my team in the CS at all. I only know of one privately educated CS in my dept. The remainder are of all different class. But predominantly working class. Including new entrants. The CS has offices all over the Uk.

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I think it also very much depends on the Department.

Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:28

turkeyboots · 01/08/2025 07:47

The internships have been targeted at students with disabilities, ethnic minority and low socioeconomic backgrounds for years.
The Fast Stream can be brutal. Lots of moving round departments, not settling anywhere and drop out rate is fairly high. And it very London centric. So if you want to help, be prepared to help with rent.

I’m not really in a position to help with rent, but you make a good point!

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:27

Roseblooms7 · 01/08/2025 07:42

It is fiercely competitive no matter the colour of your skin or sex. My DD applied for IMPACT along with 8k other grads for approx 150 places. She got all the way through to interviews and was rejected, she then got through to second round of interviews and was rejected again. The process was over 6 months and really drawn out. Luckily she has been offered her dream role out of the civil service but after many many applications and rejections. I would advise to apply for anything that looks remotely interesting.

www.local.gov.uk/our-support/councillor-and-officer-development/impact-local-government-graduate-programme

Thank you; I’ll make sure he’s aware of this.

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:23

Caravaggiouch · 01/08/2025 07:30

If his motivations are as you describe, why is it only the prestigious civil service scheme he’s interested in? Every local authority and NHS trust will have a graduate intake to their policy/management/professional services roles.

He’s not only interested in the fast stream; he’s just at the start of a learning curve about the civil service and public service in general.

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Original poster
Jakolantern · 01/08/2025 12:21

Doraymefarsolateado · 01/08/2025 07:29

No. He won’t have the “odds stacked against him” for being a white educated man. The fast stream is very competitive so he may not get in however talented he is as is the case for many other excellent applicants.

You are right not to try and influence his views. You are driven by evidence if you are a civil servant. If he is actually driven by the kind of Daily Mail drivel you’ve spouted about how terrible things are for middle class white men then he will be a failure and certainly not an asset to public service.

Edited

I’m not what you think I am at all - and my son most certainly isn’t. I guess I was just a bit anxious this morning that’s all, sorry.

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