- The Civil Service Fast Stream programme has exceeded its ambition to increase the number of hires with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) qualification to 50% across all schemes.
- This delivers on Government's ambitions to change the way the Civil Service does recruitment so it can deliver better for the public by bringing in the brightest minds in data and science.
- Applications for the 2024 intake of the Civil Service Fast Stream are now live and we encourage people from all backgrounds and disciplines to apply.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills are being boosted across the Civil Service, with the Government announcing it has exceeded its STEM fast stream recruitment ambition today. This will bring fresh perspectives to policy making so the Government can better deliver on the people's priorities and bring lasting change to communities up and down the country.
In May 2022, the Civil Service Fast Stream set an ambition to increase the number of external Fast Stream hires with a STEM degree qualification to at least 50% across all Fast Stream schemes. The Cabinet Office set out to achieve this in the 2023 recruitment campaign, and new analysis shows that the 50% ambition has now been exceeded, advancing STEM expertise across the Civil Service.
These findings build on the vision of Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin to modernise and reform the civil service, as the Government takes long-term decisions to change our country for the better.
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin, said:
We're taking long-term decisions that will put innovation at the very core of policy making - attracting the best scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians from across the UK into the heart of Government.
Today's announcement that we have exceeded our STEM recruitment ambition is an important step forward in building a modern civil service which can deliver more efficient services for the British public.
Whilst the Civil Service has traditionally attracted the best and brightest graduates with a range of backgrounds, such as in humanities, this new drive for STEM talent will bring a fresh perspective into government.
By putting STEM fast stream entrants into the heart of policy making across different roles and departments, government is diversifying its thinking around key policy decisions, developing innovative solutions to challenges, and advancing understanding in science and technology policy areas.
STEM skills are also key to meeting the Prime Minister's priorities: from halving inflation to ease the cost of living and provide people with financial security, to building a stronger economy with better jobs, and ensuring that NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.
Applications for the Civil Service Fast Stream 2024 recently opened, encouraging applications from all backgrounds. With 15 specialist programmes, the Fast Stream opens up a range of opportunities across several disciplines.
The Fast Stream will continue to have an ambition to appoint over 50% STEM Graduates in 2024.
