Morning Shaun

I have served as a Civil Servant for 33 years, beginning my career writing giro cheques (yes, that really was a thing!) and now working in a project-focussed role. I spent 25 years with the Department for Work and Pensions before moving to HMRC.

Throughout my career, I’ve held a variety of roles, including Fraud Investigation Officer (accredited through work), visiting individuals approaching 60 to ensure they were claiming all the benefits they were entitled to, meeting centenarians to offer a message from the late Queen, and working as a Training Officer—among many others.

I have achieved NVQs in Administration and Management, gained through work and aligned to the roles I held at the time. Currently, I am completing my CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership. At 52, I believe there are still countless opportunities ahead, and I strongly feel it’s important to professionalise the role you do.

Civil Service. what do we do in general.... Civil servants work in government departments to implement policies and deliver public services. Roles range from administration and customer service to policy, finance, IT, and project management. The Civil Service values impartiality, integrity, and professionalism.

You do not need elite qualifications to join. There are multiple pathways:

Direct Entry Jobs
Apply for advertised roles on Civil Service Jobs. Many positions only require GCSEs or equivalent experience.

Apprenticeships

• Career Launch Apprenticeship: Requires just two GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, open to anyone aged 16+.
• Fast Track Apprenticeships: Usually need five GCSEs including Maths and English; some schemes ask for A-levels for technical roles. These allow you to earn while you learn, gain qualifications, and progress into permanent roles.

Application Process

• Register on the Civil Service Jobs portal.
• Complete an online application and take aptitude tests (for example, situational judgement, numerical reasoning).
• Prepare for interviews using the Success Profiles framework (behaviours, strengths, experience).

Who Can Apply?

• Must have the right to work in the UK (EEA, Commonwealth, Swiss, or Turkish nationals are eligible under Civil Service nationality rules).
  

Quick Links

• https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/
• Civil Service Jobs Portal
• Apprenticeships Info

08 December, 2025 09:42

Mary this is excellent information. I shall investigate the link avenues, you suggested. Please don't mind if I need to contact you again for further advise, (as I am 48 and only have a 2:3 ! degree; so I don't think all the routes will be applicable to me). Thank you,

Mr Williams.

08 December, 2025 11:13