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Careers and Employability

Public Sector Careers

The public sector offers a wide range of career opportunities. Below you will find links to a range of organisations which make up both central and local government.

General information about public sector careers

The following websites provide general information about graduate career opportunities in the public sector.

Prospects   www.prospects.ac.uk
An overview of public sector careers, organisations and vacancies.

Targetjobs 
http://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/public-service-and-government
Articles and information on the opportunities to be found in central and local government.

The Tagish Essential List  www.tagish.co.uk/links
Explore the websites of public sector organisations. 

Central government

Directgov UK   www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en
Website for the UK government with a guide to government in the UK, the range of services on offer and information on finding employment.

A Career in politics?  www.w4mp.org/default.asp
This website is a training and development resource for staff working for MPs both at Westminster and in the constituencies. As well as information on working life at Westminster, it also offers advice for people interested in working for an MP and undertaking an internship along with vacancies from MPs, MEPs, political think-tanks, lobby groups and research organisations. 

UK Civil Service Fast Stream    www.faststream.gov.uk
Information on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate training programme which prepares trainees for senior managerial positions within the civil service. Applications for the Fast Stream are made online and all relevant information, including deadlines, are on this website. 

Civil Service Professional Entry Routes   www.civilservice.gov.uk/recruitment/entry/professional-entry-routes
General information on a range of careers within the civil service at professional level.

Clerkships in Parliament   www.parliament.uk/index.cfm
Clerkships in the House of Commons and House of Lords offer career opportunities to graduates interested in the working of Parliament, the constitution and public and political issues. Although applicants apply via the Fast Stream, Clerks are employed by Parliament and are not Civil Servants. A major area of responsibility for Clerks is to administer and manage the Select Committees. There are also a number of Working at Parliament guides.

Government intelligence agencies
Opportunities exist for graduates in a number of UK intelligence agencies. These will involve scientific and technical roles as well as general management.

HM Revenue and Customs   www.hmrc.gov.uk
HM Revenue and Custom (HMRC) was formed in 2005 after a merger between the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise. Their aim is to ensure the  payment of taxes to the department as well as the administration and payment to the public of a range of benefits.

The Government Legal Service   www.gls.gov.uk
GLS is a collective name for the legal teams of about 40 separate Government departments and public bodies.

Public sector vacancies   www.capitaresourcing.co.uk
Recruitment website which handles a large number of public sector vacancies.  

Local government

National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government   www.ngdp.org.uk
Information on the national training programme for people interested in becoming senior managers within local government.

Local Government Association   www.lga.gov.uk
The LGA represents local authorities in England and Wales - just under 500 in total. Details issues facing local authorities as well as vacancies.

LG Careers   www.lgcareers.com 
Detailed information on careers and job opportunities in local government.

Job opportunities with local government   www.lgjobs.com
Good careers information about the many jobs to be found within local government, how to apply for jobs and actual vacancies.