Civil servant Review

My role involves project management on a major change program. On a day to day basis I perform administrative duties. Send and reply to emails. Talk to stakeholders. Perform risk management and programme planning.

In my time in the apprenticeship I have not only gained two level 4 qualifications in business but also two programme management qualifications which make me a certified programme manager practitioner. I have also developed skills in all core areas of business and more specifically specialist skills in policy making and finance in addition to project management.

I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Stressful and frustrating at times, but ultimately a fulfilling thing to do. The job itself was rewarding, both intellectually and financially. I was able to use the experience gained to apply successfully for a promotion within the same organization.

I feel pretty well valued. I am given excellent training when budgets allow. The performance appraisal system is not motivating however, and does not successfully incentivise me or others to work. On the whole though we have to work with the systems we have until they change and despite these systems the leaders really do try to make a positive impact.

My programme is pretty poorly structured. The organization running it (Capita) really have not provided the resources required to run the programme effectively. The structure was chaotic and lessons clearly were not sufficiently planned.

Our training provider gave sufficient support, but staff were very stretched, had high turnover, and struggled to keep up with the quantity of work required. The staff themselves were really helpful when they could be but they were drastically underfunded.

My employer was generally supportive of my apprenticeship. I was given time off work to complete my qualification, and time on the job to focus on gathering evidence for my qualifications.

My salary sufficiently covers renting privately in London. Living without parental subsidy I'm completely able to cope and have money spare every month. London weighting allowance is especially useful. I do deliberately economize as a matter of principle however, and I could not afford much luxury.

Yes. There are a great many opportunities outside of work. Being in central London is especially useful for finding other opportunities. For example, I have joined a debating society and the Young Leaders UK programme, run by the former US Ambassador.

Yes

I would recommend the Civil service to a friend because it gives you real responsibility at a junior level, and is very supportive of personal development. In addition, the starting salary for apprentices is amongst the best on the market.

I would strongly advise anybody applying to the Civil Service to look at the competency framework online. Interviewers focus heavily on this and so does the Civil Service generally.