Civil Service Fast Stream beats its digital recruitment targets

The Civil Service Fast Stream has increased its number of hires with a STEM qualification to beyond 50%.

The flagship government graduate recruitment programme wanted to boost its intake of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, and announced an ambition to achieve at least 50% of external hires with a digital or technical qualification last year.

The goal is a central part of the civil service’s drive to modernise. Last month, it announced a range of early careers programmes designed to attract 2,500 new recruits to work on digital, data and technology projects across various government departments.

This included a new digital apprenticeship programme and a digital secondment programme that will invite tech talent to work on key government digital projects.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin said the STEM recruitment drive would bring a fresh perspective into government.

“We’re taking long-term decisions that will put innovation at the very core of policy making – attracting the best scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians from across the UK into the heart of government,” he said.

“Today’s announcement that we have exceeded our STEM recruitment ambition is an important step forward in building a modern civil service which can deliver more efficient services for the British public.”

Applications for the Civil Service Fast Stream 2024 recently opened, offering 15 different specialist programmes across multiple disciplines. The 50% ambition will continue for 2024, the Cabinet Office said.

Earlier this month, the chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced an immediate cap on civil service headcount so the government could focus on a “leaner and more effective workforce”. However, the Fast Stream has continued as planned so departments can build their talent pipelines.

The programme won the Personnel Today Award for Diversity and Inclusion in 2021.

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