Don't just read the headlines, help to make them
Duration
4 years
Salary
£28k
Location
UK-wide
The Government Communication Service Fast Stream launched in 2015 to recruit and develop the profession’s next generation of leaders.
As a Government Communications Fast Streamer, you’ll reach out to our audiences, supporting awareness and engagement with some of the most important issues in our society.
You’ll work across a range of departments and communications disciplines. You might be working in a busy press office, an innovative internal communications team or on campaigns and marketing, using public relations and low cost media.
You’ll have the opportunity to work with senior leaders and ministers in a fast-paced environment.
Your first posting is likely to be in media relations, campaigns and marketing, digital communications or international communications.
You’ll experience two placements of six months where you’ll learn about leading world-class communications that support ministers’ priorities, improve people’s lives and enable the effective operation of our public services. When you’ve finished the programme, you could be leading a communications team or even a directorate.
In your second year you’ll have two placements of six months each, including a regional or external secondment or a secondment to a complementary field.
External secondments might be in the private or third sector and will show you communications and marketing through a different lens.
You’ll have one placement of 12 months in your third year.
You’ll get a chance to lead a team and build deeper expertise in communications as you complete a professional qualification.
In your final year you’ll have one placement of 12 months.
This will consolidate the communications and leadership skills which you’ve learned over the last three years.
I’m currently working on internal comms - I have a lot of control over what I do, including making changes to how we communicate with each other. I’ve taught myself web design and graphic design and really had the opportunity to explore all areas of comms.
There are so many great elements to becoming a comms professional, my job is to speak to people, build relationships and use my creativity. Being on the Communications Fast Stream means you automatically become a core member of the Government Communication Service (GCS). This opens up a huge range of opportunities from networking to secondments, training and great resources.
There are so many great elements of becoming a comms professional, my job is to speak to people, build relationships and use my creativity.
In addition being on the Fast Stream means you automatically become a core member of the Government Communication Service (GCS). This opens up a huge range of opportunities from networking to secondments, training and great resources.
You’ll be offered ongoing training and development, both from the Fast Stream curriculum and as part of the communications profession. You will benefit from our specialist communications training programme, mentoring, case studies, access to external speakers and professional networking.
Up to £55k
If you successfully complete the scheme and are promoted, you could earn around £45k to £55k.
You’ll have a unique chance to work on issues that really matter, and to gain experience internally and externally, a brilliant foundation for promotion and long-term progression.
Promotion and successful completion of the scheme will see you earn around £45k to £55k, while other benefits include the Civil Service pension scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.
Online tests
The online tests consist of 2 questionnaires, an e-tray exercise and a video interview. We recommend you do some practice questions: Situational judgement questions.
You'll only move on to the next test, if you've successfully passed the previous one.
Assessment centre
If you pass the online tests, you'll be invited to complete an Application Form. Once this is submitted then you will be eligible to be invited to attend a half-day assessment at one of our assessment centres in either London or Newcastle.
We'll ask you to take part in a series of exercises. This includes a leadership exercise, a group exercise and an analysis exercise.
Final selection
If you are successful at the assessment centre, you’ll be invited to take part in a final selection process.
The specialist assessments will assess your broad capabilities and motivation to be part of the profession you’ve chosen. You’ll be sent detailed guidance before the assessment to explain what is involved.
