Synopsis

The Civil Service is a multi-billion pound business. With over fifty Departments, it offers a vast range of exciting career opportunities to people from all cultures. The challenges and rewards of working in the Civil Service are unique. There are few other employers who can offer the variety of work and the opportunity to affect the lives of people both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Whenever the government makes decisions, civil servants are there to carry out the work. Often having contributed to the decision-making in the first place.

The popular myth is that the civil service is an old fashioned organisation, steeped in paper managed by men in grey suits, out of touch with the modern world, and with very little to challenge or stretch its people. During the workshop we will be showing a video that reflects the true nature of the civil service.

Most departments within the Civil Service use the latest technology. Civil servants are challenged to perform, think creativity and face new challenges. Training is important too. There are opportunities for everybody to develop throughout their careers, often taking professional qualifications.

Civil servants are judged on their ability to perform, not on their background, ethnic origin, or where they were educated. Promotion is strictly on merit with opportunities for all who wish to take them.

Many civil servants are generalists, but the Civil Service also employs specialist such as scientists, engineers, economists, statisticians and accountants.

You can enter the Civil Service in many different ways. If you are an honours graduate you can apply to join the Fast Stream Development Programme, aimed at giving graduates with exceptional ability a flying start.

There are also opportunities for non-graduates. All departments set their own requirements when they recruit, seeking either formal qualifications or relevant experience. Vacancies are usually advertised through local or national press, or in Jobcentres. This workshop will also consider careers available in local government.

Profile of Facilitators

Anwar Choudhury (Chair)

Anwar is a Deputy Director at the Cabinet Office. A member of the Senior Civil Service he is responsible for the strategy and policies for Modernising government through the information age technology and capabilities. Anwar is Bangladeshi (Sylheti) by origin.

Sarah Qureshi

Sarah was a Civil Servant at the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. At present she is taking a career break and completing a postgraduate course in Management at Bath University. She is a graduate of Essex University.

Farida Rahim

Farida is a trainee solicitor at Guildford Borough Council. She graduated with a Bsc (Hons) in French and Law from the University of Surrey. She was President of the African, Caribbean and Asian Lawyers Group (ACA) at The College of Law, Guildford.