The HR Fast Stream is a demanding three-year programme, which offers you the opportunity to train as an HR professional and prepares you for a range of senior HR roles.
It consists of two 18-month placements in different but equally challenging HR roles, usually in different government departments. This could involve you in anything from developing new employee policies to acting as an HR Business Partner implementing workforce management strategies. The HR Fast Stream is looking for future leaders of the Civil Service, and the roles you fill will be high impact and provide a challenging environment for your development.
At the same time, you will be expected to work towards achieving chartered membership of CIPD (for which we provide full support). You will have access to, and benefit from, a range of learning opportunities. There is also structured senior and peer mentoring programmes in place to ensure you are fully supported at each stage of the Fast Stream programme.
With a workforce approaching half a million, made up of people from diverse backgrounds and representing almost every skill and profession, the Civil Service can offer a range of HR challenges that no other UK employer can match. HR is at the forefront of many of the government’s major policies, so the work you do will have real and visible impact on both individuals and the entire Civil Service.
The possibilities for your long-term professional career are practically limitless. Think of any HR job, anywhere in the world, in any organisation and it will be done somewhere in the Civil Service.
HR is essential to the success of the Civil Service. It can help deliver increasingly complex services with diminishing resources. It can develop effective leaders and build a capable and flexible workforce. It can ensure that the Civil Service draws on the very best talent, reflecting the diversity of experience and skills within the UK. As a future HR leader, you will be able to make a significant difference to the way the Civil Service does business.
What are we looking for?
To apply, you will need to have achieved or be predicted to achieve at least a 2:2 degree As well as having the key competencies we look for in all our Fast Streamers, you must have a genuine interest in all areas of the HR profession and in pursuing a career in HR.
Some of the behaviours that we look for in candidates are:
- Inner confidence, strength and resilience
- Self motivated to learn and develop
- Can apply analytical thinking to build depth of understanding and bring fresh thinking to the business
- Focus on achieving positive outcomes for the business
- Building and maintaining good working relationships, particularly with those more senior stakeholders
- Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively and create a positive impact
- Acquire a deep understanding of the business and the role HR can play
You are required to be flexible with locations when accepting placements and moving between departments.
Would you like to download a copy of the HR Fast Stream brochure? (pdf)