Working in government is a vast topic, ranging from basic awareness through to specialist expertise - but the common themes throughout a Civil Service career will include things like managing public money, understanding the relationship with ministers and Parliament, and having a basic grasp of other professional areas and how to work with them.
Our new induction course is designed to give new joiners a basic awareness of the Civil Service and how government works.
Explore the working in government strand
Opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of specific aspects of government are highlighted below. As well as formal training, look out for informal opportunities, these will add greatly to your understanding of the government context.
- Work on cross-government projects
- Join Civil Service networks
- Participate in initiatives like shadowing and mentoring.
Here is a selection of some examples of the training available within Strand 2, to help you build your knowledge of working in government.
Understanding Parliament
Regardless of your role, the work that we all do as Civil Servants is scrutinised by the UK Parliament on an ongoing basis. All departments, their ministers, and the services they provide are examined through questions, debates, and scrutiny committees. This scrutiny covers ideas for new policies and laws, through to the daily experiences of the public when accessing services.
Understanding Parliament is essential for all civil servants in order to support ministers, ensure our work is effectively communicated to the public, and develop new services that meet the needs of the public.
