Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship: promoting diversity and inclusion
Published 11 January 2016
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You can register your interest here.
The Fast Track apprenticeship is an exciting programme which allows applicants to earn a competitive salary while they work towards a level 4 apprenticeship.
We look to recruit from a range of backgrounds and give every candidate an equal opportunity to excel. The Civil Service needs a workforce with the very best possible mix of existing and future talent.
Hear about the experiences of interns from diverse backgrounds in this short video.
Promoting diversity and inclusion
Strategic Partnerships
The Fast Stream and Fast Track diversity outreach team are also working with a number of partners to deliver outreach activity to students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Backgrounds, those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender and those with a disability.
Our outreach activity will include online challenges, insight days, skills sessions and targeted social media strategies. This will help us raise awareness of the Fast Track apprenticeship amongst audiences who might not have heard of us, helping them develop the confidence and skills they need to apply to the Fast Track.
This year, we are delighted to be working with the following partners: MyKindaFuture, Elevation Networks, Rare Recruitment, Graduate Promotions and Stonewall.
Support for disabled Fast Track candidates
The Civil Service Fast Track apprenticeship programme does everything possible to encourage and support disabled candidates. We encourage disabled applicants to apply, and the programme follows the principles of ‘Disability Confident’ to make sure these applicants have the same opportunities as non-disabled applicants.
By being Disability Confident we are:
- making sure that there are no barriers to prevent disabled people achieving their full potential
- giving disabled employees the same opportunities to develop and progress as non-disabled employees
- arranging reasonable adjustments where needed
- obtaining adapted aids and equipment where appropriate
- making accommodation more accessible for disabled people where it is reasonable to do so
- operating a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
The Guaranteed Interview Scheme means that if you are disabled you do not need to undertake the verbal and numerical reasoning tests and are only required to complete the situational judgement and competency questionnaires.
At the registration/online test stage
- At initial registration, you can state that you have a disability, wish to apply under GIS, and would need reasonable adjustments during the selection process.
- As indicated, you have the option not to take the numerical and verbal tests but it is mandatory to take the situational judgement and competency questionnaires.
- Neither the situational judgment nor competency questionnaires are timed. If you need any reasonable adjustments when taking these you will be asked to state what adjustments are required.
- We may invite you to take the questionnaires at a test centre if your adjustments are complex, eg if you require specialist IT software, a scribe or a support worker. We may also request diagnostic reports to help us work out how best to support you.
At the assessment centre stage
- We understand that each individual is different and that you may require specific reasonable adjustments tailored to your needs.
- If you’re successful at the initial stage, you will be asked to state what adjustments would be required for the assessment centre exercises.
At the employment stage
If you are successful at the assessment stage, you’ll be encouraged to discuss any workplace reasonable adjustment requests with your manager before taking up your post. We want to make sure you get the support you need.
You can register your interest here.