Civil servants are the behind-the-scenes workers who keep our government ticking. As of March 2023, there were almost half a million of them in the national government, with many holding crucial roles in heavyweight departments like Justice, Home Office, Defence, and Work & Pensions. Within this workforce, there's a clear hierarchy, beginning with administrative officers and progressing through executive officers to the senior civil servants.
Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Skills & Personal Finance
There are probably few professions where the starting qualifications matter as much as the civil service. The starting qualifications for a job in the civil service include 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma; 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree.
This means the basic skills are important, particularly literacy and numeracy, but also increasingly digital skills.
Accountability, Empathy, Being Entrepreneurial, Resilience
Work-ready attitudes and behaviours in the civil service can vary between departments. Nevertheless, civil servants often operate under tight deadlines and occasional pressure, requiring a degree of resilience. They also engage extensively with the public, needing balance and empathy for the needs of people across the country.
Teamwork is crucial, as civil servants frequently execute instructions from government ministers, needing a clear understanding of their roles in bringing specific policies to life.
Aiming High, Attention to Detail, Communication, Problem-Solving, Staying Positive, Teamwork
Civil servants rely on a set of essential transferable skills to excel in their roles. Communication is at the forefront, as they must convey complex information clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues and the public.
Attention to detail is critical when handling intricate policies and documents to prevent errors. Problem-solving skills help them navigate challenges and find innovative solutions to various issues. Staying positive is essential, given the ever-changing environment and demands of public service.
Lastly, aiming high drives civil servants to continuously strive for excellence in their work, ensuring that government operations run smoothly and effectively.
Business, Finance, Systems, Processes & Tools
The Civil Service is the ultimate bureaucracy and mastering it is key to success. To excel, you need to know how to manage budgets, get a green light from important decision-makers, collaborate with different teams, and use department tools to track policies and projects.
Sector-specific elements of understanding required for the individual's role.
Civil Servants often shift between different departments but become specialists in their chosen field, whether it's transportation or foreign affairs.
They need to build strong relationships both within and outside their department and stay updated with research, publications, and sector news. Depending on their department, they might also need to update their qualifications which are relevant to their role.
