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As a serving civil servant you are of course free to enter the open competition like any other private individual. If you decide to do this, please be aware that there might be implications for your continuity of service and salary. You are advised to check your position with your HR team before submitting an application.

However, we also offer an In-Service Fast Stream competition. This annual competition is open to all serving civil servants, regardless of age or educational attainment - although a year's service is normally required.

Last updated - 12th May 2010

In-Service Fast Stream

The Fast Stream requires tremendous commitment and determination. To be successful you need to show that you have the attributes and qualities needed to earn promotion to middle management level (former grade 7) within about four years and to compete for posts in the Senior Civil Service within a reasonable time after that. You should be prepared to work in any aspect of your department's business - policy delivery, operational delivery or corporate services.

The selection process involves two distinct stages. The first is the application stage, which takes place entirely within your department or agency. Each department has its own application procedure and its own deadline for submitting applications, so you should contact your HR team to find out the arrangements that apply to you. After the application deadline, your HR team will operate some form of shortlisting mechanism to decide which applicants it will put forward to the second stage, which is the Fast Stream selection process itself.

If you are already a UK civil servant and are interested in applying to the In-service Fast Stream competition, please ask your HR manager for a copy of the brochure or view a copy here.
If you are a line manager within the Civil Service, look here for further information about the scheme and encouraging applications from your own department.

Application
Please note that the closing date for departments and agencies to submit their shortlisted applicants is normally by the first Monday in August. Agencies may need to check arrangements with their parent department. Closing dates within departments may be considerably earlier.