Civil Service, central and local government

The Civil Service is involved in formulating and implementing government policy. Civil servants offer support and advice on policy-making to ministers, and provide services direct to the public. The Civil Service is one of the country's largest employers, recruiting economists, statisticians, researchers, scientists, engineers, HR professionals, experts in technology and many others. Recruitment is from all subject disciplines.

Although it serves the government of the day, the Civil Service is politically independent. 

Local government offers a variety of graduate careers, through the Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme or direct entry roles. Councils have responsibility for the delivery of local services (for example, social care, education, housing, transport, leisure), as well as formulating local policy. The sector has to be accountable, is target driven and is expected to embrace new working practices, innovation and development.

The public sector as a whole employs around 18% of people in employment across the UK (ONS 2024).

Key resources to help you understand the sector include:

• The overview of the Public services sector and job profiles on Prospects website
• Civil Service Fast Stream - a competitive programme, with 15 different streams, offering high-quality, structured learning and a career path in a government profession. Schemes last 3-4 years and include rotations in different departments. Some also include study for a professional qualification. Entry requirements are a 2:2 for most schemes; some require a 2:1 or Masters degree.  The Fast Stream programme will open for applications 10 October (for 2025 entry) and is usually open for four weeks; you can register your interest on the Fast Stream website for alerts. 
• The Civil Service - the work of the Civil Service, and the range of business areas and professions; direct entry into the Civil Service also offers graduate level jobs with excellent opportunities for training and career progression
• Entering the Labyrinth (PDF , 1,243kb): Unofficial Guide to Civil Service Applications (2022)
• Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme  has over 70 participating councils in England and Wales; the two year programme includes a fully funded level 7 ILM qualification in Leadership and Management 
• 21st century public servant, based on research by the University of Birmingham, identifying characteristics and key challenges for 21st century public service
• New Local - an independent think tank and network for councils and community-led public services
• Local Government Association - a cross-party organisation that seeks to influence the political agenda on council-related matters
• Apolitical - a global learning platform and B Corp for those working in public service, with articles, guides and courses (free sign-up to access content)

Use of AI in the civil service sector

AI has the potential to improve efficiency and public service delivery. It can reduce the time spent on routine administrative tasks, and can be used in research, data analysis and improved data sharing, and act as a driver for economic growth. The pace of AI adoption has been affected by legacy systems in councils and government departments, and the need for robust security, data protection and ethical use. The Government publishes guidance and training for civil servants, see for example Artificial Intelligence: Must-have skills for the future, December 2024; Introducing the AI playbook, February 2025; and look for recent articles on this topic.

The skills needed will depend on the individual job role; specialist posts may require specific subject knowledge. However valuable skills for this sector will include:

• communication - written and spoken
• customer service
• organisation
• negotiation
• project management
• problem solving
• initiative
• team working
• commercial awareness
• ability to work under pressure

The Civil Service Success Profiles comprise five elements: ability, technical, behaviours, strengths, experience. The Civil Service Behaviours are one element of the profiles; you can find helpful guidance on the Civil Service website on how to approach these in your application.

The LGA website lists skills and behaviours essential for work in local government.

Work experience is invaluable for entry into this competitive sector. Ideally work experience will give you some practical experience in the job you are interested in, give you a greater insight into work in the sector, and build on your skills and knowledge. If you don't manage to get work experience in your chosen area of work, any work experience will give you the opportunity to develop the transferable skills that are important to employers. Consider volunteer roles too, as these can be equally valuable, particularly in demonstrating your commitment and values.

Work experience and internships

• Handshake - any work experience in a customer service environment will be valuable for this sector
• Internships and work experience
• An internship with York Internships offers great experience, and some projects are with local councils
• Some councils offer work experience schemes - you can find details on their websites. It may also be worth approaching your local council to see if they can offer work experience or work shadowing
• Civil Service Fast Stream summer diversity internships are sometimes offered to students from under-represented groups, before your final year, or at the end of your degree course - this scheme is currently under review (2024)
• GES summer vacation scheme for Economics students
• Some government departments may offer work experience or insight days - contact departments direct.

Recruitment into this sector takes place year-round, as needs arise. However, the main recruitment period for the Civil Service Fast Stream is usually early September to the end of October, sometimes with a second round in the spring. 

Some graduates enter this sector via administrative or office assistant jobs which help build up relevant skills before applying for a managerial post.

The following sites may be useful in looking for vacancies:

• Civil Service Fast Stream - applications for 2025 entry open 10 October 2024 
• Civil Service Job Search
• Civil Service Care Leavers Internship Scheme - 18 month programme for care leavers 
• GCHQ
• MI5
• Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
• Security services Early Careers Network - sign up for alerts (graduate jobs, internships, insight schemes) and webinars
• Northern Ireland Civil Service
• Local Government jobs
• Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme
• Local government jobs in Scotland
• Local government jobs in Wales
• Public sector jobs in Northern Ireland
• List of UK councils and their websites
• Jobs Go Public - public sector jobs site

Make sure you don't miss the deadlines for the Fast Stream, other civil service jobs and NGDP by setting up job alerts from their recruitment pages; see what kinds of jobs come up and when to inform your job search strategy. If possible have a conversation with the recruiter to see what they're really hoping for, in addition to reading the job ad.

The recruitment process

The Civil Service Fast Stream recruitment process has several phases, including online tests, work based scenarios, and a video interview. Successful applicants from these stages may then complete further tests (depending on the chosen scheme), followed by a half day assessment centre and a final selection assessment. You will be assessed against a range of behaviours and strengths. The Fast Stream FAQs include information about the application and recruitment process, including an assessment centre guide.

See also the Civil Service Careers guide to best practice and permitted use of AI in recruitment.

Nationality requirements may apply to Civil Service posts - check the relevant websites before applying.

The NGDP recruitment process includes an online application, video interview, assessment and interviews with potential local authority hosts. For other council jobs, the recruitment process will usually consist of an application and interview (which may include a presentation or additional assessment), pre-employment clearance, if relevant (eg DBS criminal records check), and job offer.

Find out more about applications and recruitment, and how to prepare.

• Talk to people working in the sector - use York profiles and mentors (search Civil Service, and Government - Local and National) and attend relevant events
• Make sure you understand the application process and timetable (especially important for the Civil Service Fast Stream)
• Develop the key skills for these roles, such as project management and digital skills, through online courses or by gaining practical experience (eg volunteering, student societies, formal work experience)
• Keep up to date with sector issues in the news
• Start building your network to learn more about this sector.

Connect with York graduates on York Profiles and Mentors

• Team Leader/Policy Lead, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• National Management Trainee, LGA
• Civil Service HR Fast Stream
• Generalist Fast Stream
• Diplomatic Fast Stream
• Senior Policy Adviser, HM Treasury
• Civil Servant, Home Office

Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles and Mentors.

You can also find and connect with York alumni working in this sector on LinkedIn.

Podcasts

• Episodes of our What do you actually do? podcast series:
  • Civil Service Fast Stream
  • Managing the economic growth of York, Alex Dochery, City of York Council

Blog

• Civil Service Fast Stream blog