The Civil Service has recruited a record number of black and minority ethnic graduates onto its Fast Stream training and development programme.
Official figures released by the Cabinet Office revealed 11% of successful candidates in 2006 were from ethnic minorities, up from 7% the previous year.
Graduates are selected on the basis of their potential to reach the senior civil service across a range of roles and departments.
There was also a marked increase in the number of women successfully applying to the scheme. In 2006, 50% of successful candidates were women, an increase from 44% in 2005.
Anne-Marie Lawlor, director of leadership in the Cabinet Office’s corporate development group, told Personnel Today: “This year’s report shows the proportion of women and ethnic minority candidates has risen and is testament to the work [the Cabinet Office] has done to hone the selection process and skills we look for.”
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The statistics also showed the Civil Service is extending its reach in attracting graduates from beyond traditional Oxbridge education, which accounted for 31% of candidates recommended for appointment.
However, successful applications from disabled graduates rose by less than 1% in 2006. Lawlor admitted this figure was something “to keep an eye on”.
