To apply for the civil service fast track at my age?

[mumtomaxwell]

I’m 42, have been in the same career (teacher) most of my working life. Realistically will be 68+ when I retire so gives me 26ish years.

The thought of a career change now seems very daunting - but the civil service really appeals to me! Am I foolish to consider it might be an option for me?

Not at all! I changed from a career in retail to the CS 3 years ago. I’m 41 and just applying for fast stream this year.

Absolutely go for it. Lots of people of a more mature age apply and join every year - life experience is a real positive!

Absolutely, cs needs fresh blood with experience. Some of the best staff I've worked with are new to the service

Omg is this an option? Would they want teachers?

Go for it! Your age is certainly no barrier to applying. My Fast Stream intake in 2001 included people aged between 22 and mid 40s. If you're willing to put the work in (and it is hard work - particularly if you aspire to the Senior Civil Service), there are few careers that can match it for variety, impact, and opportunity.

Recruitment has also just opened for HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme - might also be worth a look.

Sounds interesting! But could you be posted anywhere?

Please Apply! The civil service could do with more ex-teacher fast streamers and fewer 'not even properly off their mothers' apron strings ' fast streamers.

Yes go for it! Or apply for a specific job at a department that appeals to you, DfE is full of ex-teachers!

Do it! I had a 40 year old fast streamer who came to work for me, and he was great!

Ooh! Thanks Schnitzel I’ll take a look!

I like the sound of the potential challenge of a cs role... This is a rare thing for a teacher to say but I’m so bloody bored by it now! I just can’t be bothered with the mundanity of it and need to stretch my brain.

Do it! Someone had mentioned TSP with HMRC and the oldest on my team is 46.

Age is no problem, bloody hard work but interesting 👍

Definitely go for it - I can’t tell you how much I would appreciate a fast streamer with some life experience. Also have a look at experience entrant schemes.

You won’t be posted just anywhere if you have a reason you need to stay in the area you are, e.g. kids in schools, established connections etc. The fast stream is becoming a lot more accommodating, also people are being posted in one job for longer (a year instead of 6 months) which makes fast streamers so much more useful. 6 months just isn’t long enough for someone to be useful.

Don’t limit yourself to the fast stream though - you can apply direct for jobs, we have lots of ex teachers as the skills are so transferable. There is also the direct appointment scheme - basically if you’re a “near miss” in the fast stream application process you will probably be offered jobs. Which means we get huge cohorts of 12 yr olds every September - ours just started. Managing one of them is like being their mum. I’d love someone with a bit of life behind them.

Not mad at all, although the faststream is v v competitive so even great candidates miss out. Have you had a bit of a browse on Civil Service Jobs, just to see what’s around as a direct entrant? Plenty of people have great careers/progress without having been on the faststream.

But also nothing to lose by putting your hat in the ring for the faststream too!

Definitely give it a go! After spending my whole working life in the hospitality industry I joined the civil service early this year as an apprentice (not quite the same as fast stream, I know) and it has been amazing. My management team also commented that the next round for the apprenticeship were all very young and they were hoping for a wider variety of applicants. Again I know that this isn't the fast stream but it does show that the civil service are interested in experience and a range of life skills.

Absolutely. Go for it. It’s a very diverse workforce.

There are lots of bits of the fast stream, some of which are less competitive - e.g. finance fast stream, where you’ll be paid to get an accountancy qualification, and get access to the same development courses as the main policy fast stream.

I would also suggest direct entry - at EO level. Particularly at the moment, there are plenty of jobs and once you are in you can move around fairly easily and will have more control than if you were on the fast stream.

Plenty of ex-teachers in our department. I think there might even be a network!

Please do - save us from all the children joining with zero life experience and needing a 24/7 handhold

I’m glad I asked now!! Think I’ll have a bit of a browse to see what direct entry jobs are available as well. Thanks all

You could probably get direct entry HEO as an experienced teacher. But the FS is good for experienced people too. We're recruiting so fast that well over half my colleagues are under 26 - they're lovely and learn fast, but every now and then you find yourselves having to spend an hour explaining the Troubles, or Thatcherism, or that actually, it wasn't that homosexuality was happily discussed in schools before section 28 came in...

Ive considered this too. Teaching is not the place for people over about 35 it seems

I applied and I got the job! Rightly or wrongly (regretfully) I turned it down as the hours were unclear upon application and didn’t work for my family. The process was fun and interesting. I’m 46 btw.