The Civil Service Fast Stream is an award-winning graduate programme, providing an accelerated career path to leadership within the Civil Service across a huge range of departments and agencies.
Since 2016, the Civil Service Fast Stream has sponsored the EP Scheme through providing work shadowing placements and an exclusive ‘Whitehall Experience Day’.
In past years, EP students have gained the chance to visit and meet both Fast Streamers and senior Civil Servants in the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Her Majesty’s Treasury, Ministry of Defence and GCHQ!
The Whitehall experience day has provided students with both an unqiue insight into inner government workings and also the chance to find out more regarding the Civil Service’s Fast Stream. Samuel Hales, who attended in 2019, commented:
“Today’s Civil Service Whitehall Experience surpassed all expectations. From Q&As with senior Civil Servants to behind-the-scenes tours of the Ministry of Justice and FCO buildings, the day provided a unique opportunity to witness the inner-workings of key government departments and learn about their functions. I’m definitely more keen to explore careers in government after graduating as a result. Many thanks to the EP team for such an incredible opportunity!”
In addition to providing experience days, EP students have been given the chance to shadow senior civil servants and current Fast Streamers. The EP team have caught-up with both Rebecca Smith and Rhys Brown (both School of Politics and International Relations) to find out more.
Rebecca gained the chance to spend 2-days in the Department for International Trade, where she shadowed various members of the team responsible for negotiating a future trade agreement with New Zealand and Australia. Beyond gaining an unique insight into the day-to-day activities of Civil Servants and Fast Streamers, Rebecca was tasked with researching the communications strategy utilised by both New Zealand and Australia during their negotiations with the EU. Her report of recommendations will be utilised by senior officials in establishing the UK’s negotiation strategy!
Rhys gained the opportunity to spend time in both the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence, gaining insights into policy ranging from prison reform to Cyber and Security. Reflecting on his experience, Rhys commented:
“My two days experience with the Civil Service was a great opportunity, and I’ve now gained real motivation and drive to pursue this career path through the Civil Service’s fast stream program. All the people I met over the two days were enthusiastic about their jobs and also about helping people like myself to make sense of the huge world which is government and the civil service.”