Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship 2019?

I'm very interested in applying to join the 2019 fast track group but can't seem to find any information online. Does anyone know yet if any info has come out regarding the 2019 application process, or when about information has been released in previous years?

Also if anyone who has applied before and has been successful (or not!) any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated!

Hi!

I am a former fast track apprentice who graduated from the scheme this year.

Applications should be open in a couple of weeks (End of Feb)

As far as I know the application process is unchanged from last year, and all of the relevant info is here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-service-fast-track-apprenticeship-how-to-apply

Hi! Thanks for sharing this. I'm also pretty interested in applying, for either Policy or Digital. I can't find anything online either - do you know if it's likely to open soon? I saw this: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/no-fast-track-application-window-in-2019

They're currently reviewing the programme, it's not confirmed if it'll open this year.

Sadly they cancelled it completely this year. I only found out when I saw the press release

Aww, that's such a shame. I'm applying to other apprenticeships anyway, but this is a bit depressing. Do you happen to know why this might have happened? I'm guessing lack of resources and insufficient availability in departments.

Also, I'd love to hear more from you about your experience if that's okay! What area did you work in, and are you still working at the Civil Service?

While Fast Track scheme is suspended until 2020, there are still apprenticeships being offered by individual departments.

Yep, thanks. I've checked a few out, but the main appeal of Fast Track to me was that it was clear the Civil Service themselves provided the training. There's a chance the training for the other apprenticeships on offer has been outsourced to providers that may be inadequate.

The fast track apprenticeship is very much outsourced

QA is the learning provider and you go on courses on day / week release depending on your scheme.

The fast track apprenticeship is a bit of a weird programme. I think it was envisioned to be a bit of a baby version of the fast stream, but it never really got the resources it needed to live up to that expectation. Bits of it just didn't really work very well and there was no sense of community among fast track apprentices as opposed to fast streamers.

As far as I am aware they are doing a lengthy transformation programme to change the apprenticeship. I have no idea what this actually means though! Lots of departments are looking for people at EO grade, it's just a bit difficult having to do the daily business of working in government along with training people that come in with no skills.

Don't let my negativity put you off though! It's the best thing I ever did and it changed my life for the better. I worked for two years as a software developer on the digital apprenticeship and got into generalist on the fast stream this year. While I am waiting for the fast stream to start I am moving into a project delivery role for 6 months. I got this secondment via my mentor (networking is a good thing!)

There is a list of public sector apprenticeships on civil service jobs here:

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/ways-to-join/

Click the apprenticeships link on that page and it should filter out all of the apprenticeships available at the moment.

Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions