A new internship initiative for civil service roles will be exclusively available to students from working-class backgrounds as part of efforts to ensure government offices more closely represent the nation, officials have announced.
The program will offer paid government positions to undergraduates from lower-income households. Eligibility will be determined by the occupations of applicants’ parents when they were 14 years old, replacing a previous scheme that had no such restrictions.
Pat McFadden, a Cabinet Office minister, stated that the change was implemented because candidates from less advantaged socioeconomic groups were less likely to secure positions in the prestigious civil service training program.
“Increasing the presence of working-class youth in government ensures a wider pool of talent and a more accurate representation of society,” he said. “Policies are more effective when they are shaped by those who genuinely understand the public’s needs.”
“This initiative creates pathways for students across all regions and circumstances, allowing them to contribute meaningfully within government as we implement reforms and pursue progress.”
Starting next year, 200 undergraduates will take part in the two-month summer program, working within various government departments. Applications will open in October.
Intern responsibilities may include organizing events, drafting reports for officials, observing senior staff, and conducting research for policy proposals. Each participant will also be paired with a mentor currently in the training program and have access to skill-building workshops.
High-performing interns who later apply for permanent roles will be granted direct entry to the final selection phase of the training program.
Recent figures indicate that only around 10% of those accepted into the training program come from the lowest-income households. The program was temporarily paused in 2023 as part of cost-saving measures but has since resumed.
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