Schemes
Project
Delivery
On the Project Delivery Fast Stream, you'll develop professional skills to help deliver the most exciting projects happening in Britain today
Duration
3.5 years
Salary
£31,186
Location
UK-wide
About
Project Delivery Fast Streamers enjoy unprecedented scale and challenge in their work. There are a wide variety of opportunities to work on projects that deliver huge benefits and improvements to our society, from building hospitals and railways, to providing cutting-edge digital services. These projects are transforming the way we live and work and have a positive impact on people across the UK.
Joining the Project Delivery Fast Stream will give you the chance to build professional project skills whilst playing an active role in some of the most significant projects around the world.
Please see our Project Delivery Profession Video
You can find out more about Government Project Delivery here and here.
We will be hosting two "Meet the PD Fast Stream" events on 3rd and 5th October 2023. Please click here to register to attend one of the sessions.
Requirements
- You need to be eligible to work in the UK
- You need, or expect to have, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject including degree apprenticeships
- Existing civil servants can apply without a degree
What will you experience?
You will enjoy fast-paced projects of unparalleled scale and complexity. This 3.5 year programme will give you experience across the project lifecycle. Each posting will allow you to build on your core skills in project delivery.
Project Delivery is split into 3 main areas, Project, Programme and Portfolio Management. You can expect to undertake roles in at least 2 of these areas during your time on the scheme in a variety of roles.
These are just some of the roles and projects that our current Fast Streamers are working on:
- scoping the benefits and impacts associated with increasing airport capacity.
- working across departments to support economic growth and decentralisation of powers in cities across the UK
- supporting the High Speed Rail project as an Assistant Project Manager.
Projects such as these will allow you to learn a range of skills and methodologies that will support you in becoming a future leader of the Civil Service. Successful completion of the scheme, with promotion, will see you earn around £45K to £55K.
The scheme is 3.5 years in length, with 2 x one year postings in years 1-2, and your 3rd post will be a maximum of 18 months.
Your progression will be assessed at the end of each year to ensure you are on track for the end of the scheme. In month 36 you will undertake your G7 assessment and if successful will be able to apply for Grade 7 roles across Government, whilst continuing your final Fast Stream post until you secure a role.
Map of previous years role locations -
Your progression through the programme
- Year
Year 1 - 12 months. Working on a government project, programme or portfolio in a Project Support Officer role to give you a broad understanding of Project Delivery to help you succeed in your career.
Year 2 - 12-month placement working on a government project, programme or portfolio. You will be working in a “Specialist or Business Analysis and Change” role (as defined in the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF))
Year 3 - up to 18 months. In your final year you'll undertake another placement working on a government project, programme or portfolio. You will be working in a “Leadership” role (as defined in the Project Delivery Capability Framework (PDCF))
In the final year, a small proportion of PD Fast Streamers may be aligned to Business Analysis roles to help us build additional capability in this area.
Supporting your learning
- Mentoring from a mentor from within the Project Delivery profession (this will generally be a Senior Civil Servant with many years of experience).
- Bi-weekly learning sessions with the Project Delivery Fast Stream team.
- Support from your activity manager will support you in day-to-day activities.
- Annual PD Fast Stream conference.
- A Skills and Capability Manager will work with you to ensure you are getting the wider learning and development opportunities that you'll need.
- Attend Fast Stream learning events for you to develop your leadership skills.
- Undertake Project Management qualifications relevant to your placements. Qualifications include:
- APM PMQ Practitioner.
- PRINCE2 Practitioner.
- Agile PM Practitioner .
- MoR Practitioner (Management of Risk) .
- MsP Practitioner (Managing Successful Programmes).
You can hear more from our Project Delivery Fast Streamers on our YouTube channel here and by following the Project Delivery team on Twitter: @pdemergtalent
Up to £55k
- Starting Salary - £31,186
- Capability assessed salary increases throughout the scheme
- Towards the end of Year 4, you will complete your End of Scheme Assessment. If successful, you will be promoted off the scheme, either into a role you have identified or into a priority permanent role allocated by the scheme. In your role on graduation from the scheme, you could earn between £45k and £55k.
What benefits will you enjoy?
You'll have a unique chance to work on issues that really matter, and to gain experience internally and externally. It's the best foundation for promotion and long-term progression.
Other benefits include the Civil Service pension scheme, professional qualifications, flexible working, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, child care vouchers and more.
Learning and Development on the Project Delivery Scheme
Alongside the scheme-specific learning offer, you will complete the universal training which provides core foundation skills and leadership & management skills.
Application process
Online assessments
The online assessments consist of Work Style Questionnaires, a multimedia Situational Judgement Questionnaire, Numerical Test and Work Based Scenarios.
Assessment centre
If you pass the online assessments, you'll be invited to undertake a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually on line. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist a leadership scenario, a team scenario and a written scenario. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.
Final selection
If you are successful at the assessment centre, you'll be invited to take part in a final selection process.
This specialist assessment will look at your capability and motivation to be part of this programme. You'll be sent detailed guidance before the assessment to explain what is involved.