The Civil Service currently has over 20 Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) Life Chance Schemes in operation across Government, using innovative approaches to recruitment and providing Individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, who face barriers to employment, with opportunities and experience.
In this blog edition, we introduce you to the Movement to Work in the Civil Service Recruitment Scheme led by the Department for Work and Pensions.
What is Movement to Work?
Movement to Work is a charity coalition of many of the UK’s leading employers, civil society, and government.
The DWP was a founding member of Movement to Work in 2013. Since then, the initiative has been rolled out across government departments and the Civil Service is one of the largest providers of work placement opportunities for young people.
Building Movement to Work placements into the talent pipeline for apprenticeships and entry-level recruitment helps fulfil the Civil Service commitment to be representative of the communities it serves.
What is 'Movement to Work Recruitment in the Civil Service'?
In November 2023 DWP were given accreditation to run ‘Movement to work Recruitment’ as a Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) Life Chances Scheme across the Civil Service.
The ‘Movement to Work Recruitment' scheme is a two-week work experience placement within the Civil Service that can potentially lead to a temporary fixed term appointment role for up to 24 months and the possibility of permanent employment at 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Within the Civil Service the scheme has been designed to give young people the opportunity to experience what it would be like to work within the Civil Service.
Candidates must be:
- aged 16–30
- Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)
- and in receipt of Universal Credit and some legacy benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance.
How does this scheme make a difference?
The scheme aims to provide young people with a meaningful experience in the Civil Service. To support individuals to gain the essential skills, they need to demonstrate their potential and break the vicious ‘no experience – no job’ cycle which can prevent them from stepping onto the career ladder.
Yusuf’s Story
Yusuf is a 22-year-old confident, young man with no work history, who suffers from Peters anomaly which is a disorder of the eye which involves thinning and clouding of the cornea and attachment of the iris to the cornea, which causes blurred vision. As well as this, he suffers from Microphthalmia which is a birth defect in which one or both eyes did not develop fully, so they are small. This means that he requires specialist software to access IT and that he uses a white cane which is a device used by many people who are blind or visually impaired.
Yusuf was keen on admin or customer service roles working from home but despite being a DWP customer since mid-2019 was struggling to find suitable work.
That was until the HMRC Movement to Work placement based in Birmingham came along. The DWP Life Chances team were supportive and held discussions both with Yusuf and his work coach to discover exactly what his needs were and how he could be supported. Working with colleagues in HMRC a plan was formulated to support him on a placement that covered accessibility, evacuation plans and peer buddying. This collaborative working within DWP and HMRC was fundamental in him gaining a place in the next cohort and the placement.
Yusuf was very impressed with the scheme and had high hopes which were all realised when on the final day he was told that a role was available for him, and an offer of a 2-year fixed term appointment was conditionally made. He is now progressing well with HMRC and he hopes that his role will become permanent.
Yusuf said ''The work placement has allowed me to have exposure into a big organisation. I am really excited to have been offered the job and am looking forward to getting stuck in. This opportunity has opened a wealth of opportunities and I can sense that I will have a successful career in the civil service.''
Movement to Work across the Civil Service
“His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are strong advocates of the Movement to Work Scheme and has provided opportunities to 73 young people of which, as of December 2023, 41 have been offered a 2-year Temporary Fixed Term Appointment with the possibility of a permanent role.
The scheme has created a sense of passion and pride amongst all those involved across HMRC who recognise the difference they are making to others. Candidate feedback has consistently reflected a positive, supportive experience in gaining the skills needed in a work environment.”
Peter - Lead for Movement to Work in HMRC
How and when can individuals apply for the scheme?
Placements will be advertised through local job centres and interested young people will be encouraged to speak to their work coach.
How Civil Service Departments can get involved:
In November 2023 DWP were given accreditation to run ‘Movement to work Recruitment in the Civil Service’ as a GFiE Life Chances Scheme across the Civil Service. DWP would like to pilot and evaluate the programme early in 2024, before inviting other government departments to participate.
Life Chance Schemes
If you want to know more about our other GFiE Life Chance Schemes; or you would like to discuss providing life changing opportunities to individuals through use of the schemes for vacancies you have coming up, please get in contact with the GfiE Team at GFiE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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