To ask about joining Civil Service after school or university

[DupontsLark]

DD(17) has announced she's not going to uni after A levels but is joining the Civil Service. DH is not happy as he is very keen for her to do a degree (it was never an option for him as he had to leave school at 16 and contribute to the family finances).

I know nothing about working for the Civil Service; is it a good idea to join after A levels or is it better to join their graduate scheme?

And yes I know it's DD's decision but I think she's influenced by her boyfriend ...

Lots of options to train and be supported/sponsored through a degree at work usually. Depends on the role/department and her longer term aspirations.
The graduate scheme is incredibly competitive to get in, can take a few years to make it through after graduation.

Thanks Littlebuzz

So how do you go into CS from school? Do you pick a particular dept and apply?

There's a wonderful apprentice programme from 18 so I'd take a look at that. She can then apply for the fast stream in a couple of years if she wants faster progress.

I went straight to the civil service after uni and honestly if I could do it again I wouldn't have bothered with uni esp at the price it is now. I don't thjnk it did much to help my career. Maybe it did not sure but its not really something they look at when uou apply for civil service jobs. Maybe she can try it and if she doesn't like it she can always go to uni in a year or two

If by grad scheme you mean fast track there are about 40,000 people applying every year from what I heard.
If she wants to work, why not. She can do diploma while working at later date. Pushing someone else's dreams on kids never works out well (I couldn't always wanted, so you must).
Are there any Aa or ao jobs available? She may still change her mind, but it's worth exploring.

In my opinion too many people go to uni for the sake of going to uni and it's not working out for many

Civil service is great to get into. Most departments offer very flexible working and great progression opportunities. There's such a vast range of roles available too. My DP has a degree and has been a civil servant for 7 years, I do not have a degree and have been a civil servant for 3 years...(same age) we're both at the same grade/pay in different departments, both work flexibly, have gained so much experience and lots of transferable qualifications. It's also all work that makes a difference in some way

I think it's a great option to be honest, once you're in the civil service there are loads of opportunities for funded professional qualifications or even degree level study; and even if not, you can move between departments and up the grades at a fairly steady rate if you want to.

She can work her way up and if she wants to do FE in the future they can help with this.
I joined Civil sevice at 20 and have worked my way up to graduate level
Others have came in at different stages/ grades they benefit from what works for them and the departments have a variation of people and it works for them.

You can apply internally for Fast Track but it is very competitive. They do offer apprenticeships and internships to target groups.

The CS is doing a huge push on apprenticeships. They are a great way to accelerate your early career - the DS of friends of ours is at the MoD. He's going to have the most amazing pension at 40, no student debt, is earning really decent money and can do a career change while still a young man if he wants to. He went in as an apprentice and his parents were v upset he wouldn't go to university. He'd wanted to be sponsored thru by the army but got injured so couldn't do the selection and decided to hell with it all, I'll just try for the MoD instead after school. Has never regretted it for a moment.

Have a look here: www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?SID=cGFnZWFjdGlvbj1zZWFyY2hieWNvbnRleHRpZCZwYWdlY2xhc3M9Sm9icyZvd25lcj01MDcwMDAwJm93bmVydHlwZT1mYWlyJnVzZXJzZWFyY2hjb250ZXh0PTEzNTAwMTU1MQ==

In my opinion too many people go to uni for the sake of going to uni and it's not working out for many

Oh I agree. She's bright and works hard at school and her p/t hospitality job. Before meeting boyfriend she wanted to study French with Law.

What us Ao/Aa?

Sorry xpost with replies

once you're in the civil service there are loads of opportunities for funded professional qualifications or even degree level study;

This ^

AO and AA are the two most junior admin grades. A lot of departments have phased out AA roles now though.

The grade progression starts as AA, AO, EO, HEO, SEO.
I entered as an EO after uni, but because different departments have different pay scales AOs in other depts made virtually the same wage as me.

The fast stream is very competitive, and seems to suit a very particular type of individual. Personally I'd say join now at EO/AO and consider in a year or two whether one of the schemes suits.

There are several apprentice schemes in the Civil Service where you can end up with a qualification and a well-paid career, all the time earning a wage and learning the job.
Look on the Civil service jobs website. Lots of opportunities.
One thing I would say is pick your department carefully. I don't know if this is still true but every person I've met who worked at DWP said they would never go back.
I work in HMRC and it's not bad at all. Good benefits, flexible working arrangements etc and plenty of opportunities for advancements.

Let her do what she wants - is it a case of staying near the boyfriend?

I would quietly push French if you can - that is a skill we will be needing more and more of as time passes.,,

Both DH and I are Civil Servants; he didn't go to uni, I did. We're the same grade, on roughly the same pay, but in two different departments.

Whilst I enjoyed being at uni and studying for my degree, it has made absolutely no difference to my progression in the CS.

As others have said, the Fast Stream is hugely competitive but there's a real push across many different departments for Apprentices to join and is something worth looking into with your DD. Once your foot is in the door, there are loads of opportunities for development, qualifications, etc.

It all depends on her. I've found that there are lots folks at lower grades that have degrees but don't use them.

Let her do what she wants - is it a case of staying near the boyfriend?

Possibly. And I'm starting to get a sense that he is becoming quite controlling. I was hoping uni would increase her social as well.

And yes to the apprenticeships. That's a very interesting a good way to go as well.

Let her have a look through civil service jobs website (you can see the apprenticeships advertised there too often). It will help her get an idea of what is on offer.

@DupontsLark

Let her do what she wants - is it a case of staying near the boyfriend?

Possibly. And I'm starting to get a sense that he is becoming quite controlling. I was hoping uni would increase her social as well.

Well that's a whole different kettle of fish...

Go for it. She will have a fantastic pension if she starts there so young.

The boyfriend's influence is worrying but getting into the civil service pre university certainly isn't.

They could pay her tuition fees and she could do a degree or other qualifications on day release, while earning a full time salary.

Fast forward a few years and she's a graduate with experience and no student debt.

@Belledan1

Go for it. She will have a fantastic pension if she starts there so young.

I wouldn't count on it. I joined at 21, and thanks to endless pension reforms since then, my pension will be crap.

Hi Skippy. I work in civil service now and my pension is 12 per cent a lot better than the 2 percent I had in private sector and for years never had one through work. if I had started there when I was younger . 50s now. Would have a much better pension pot.

It might actually be higher than 12 per cent.