Leadership and Talent

We believe that development comes from the diversity of experience and we nurture your talent by delivering talent development programmes that support your future ambitions. Anyone who is serious about their own development can access high quality programmes whoever they are, wherever they are from and whatever skills they have got.

What is the role of our Cyber Apprentices and Fast Streamers?

Our Cyber Apprentices and Fast Streamers work within the Government Security Profession across government departments as they develop their skills and understanding of cyber. Our programmes offer unlimited career potential which enables them to take charge of their own career journey.

Cyber Apprentices will work towards developing deep technical skills throughout their programme and beyond to become recognised cyber experts.

Fast Streamers will join our flagship leadership development programme which will provide the necessary skills to reach the very highest levels of the Government Security Profession.

Both our Apprentices and Fast Streamers are challenged and stretched from the outset and will be able to apply their skills and learning in a variety of contexts.

Level 4 & Level 6 Apprenticeship Schemes 

Our level 4 cyber apprenticeship scheme offers the opportunity to work in departments across government for two years, gaining a foundation level of understanding in cyber security, achieving a Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist qualification on completion and the opportunity to move into a permanent job in a department. 

Length of programme: 2 years

Eligibility: An IT qualification or equivalent experience

Starting salary: £24,327 (National), £28,050 (London)

Applications open: Spring

Our level 6 cyber apprenticeship scheme offers successful candidates the opportunity to work in departments across government developing their technical cyber skills over the course of 4 years and gaining a Cyber Security Technical Professional (Integrated Degree) on completion. It is expected that apprentices will receive a promotion during your time on the scheme, and to move into a job which will expand their deepening expertise once they have finished the scheme 

Length of programme: 4 years

Eligibility: 120 UCAS points including an IT qualification or equivalent experience

Starting salary: £24,327 (National), £28,050 (London)

Applications open: Spring

DDaT & Cyber Fast Stream 

The Civil Service Fast Stream is the Civil Service’s flagship leadership development programme, developing people from a wide range of backgrounds who have the potential to become our future senior leaders. This programme has been The Times Top 100 Number 1 Graduate Employer for the second year running.

Our Digital, Data, Technology and Cyber Fast Stream programme offers the chance to be a key member of a digital, data, technology or cyber team that designs, builds, runs and assures government digital services whilst managing and reducing security risks, transforming the lives of millions of people. 

Fast Streamers work across the Civil Service, typically gaining experience of working in different government departments, as they are developed to become our future leaders. The programme offers unlimited career potential to reach the very highest levels of the organisation.

Length of programme: 3 years

Eligibility: Actual or predicted 2:2, a degree apprenticeship or post-graduate degree in any subject. Existing civil servants can apply without a degree

Minimum starting salary: £28k

Application open: September

Find out more: https://www.faststream.gov.uk/

Secure Leaders & Future Secure Leaders

Secure Leaders

In 2021 the Government Security Profession Team engaged with leaders from

across the security function to really understand what is required to be an exceptional security leader in Government.  Using these key skills and expectations, we have developed a bespoke training programme to grow and develop our G6/7 talent pipeline, equipping our leaders of the future.

The programme offers blended learning through the central leadership offer ‘Stepping into Leadership’ alongside preparation for SCS, mentoring and the opportunity to work with peers as a learning cohort.

Future Secure Leaders

Building on the success of the G6/G7 Secure Leaders programme,

Government Security Profession (GSP) launched a HEO/SEO Leadership Programme for those who have the potential to reach Grade 7. The programme offers a similar package as Secure leaders, with blended learning through the central leadership offer “Stepping into Leadership”, alongside preparation for G7, mentoring and the opportunity to work with peers as a learning cohort.

Leadership and SCS Development: 

Our Leadership Strategy outlines our ambition to help our most senior security professionals with resourcing/career management, talent and development. 

We aim to develop a leadership community that role models our values, supports our people, and drives transformational change. 

We are developing initiatives to support our senior leaders to develop their potential, developing the skills needed for the future, and match resources to meet critical gaps, whilst building an engaged, leadership community that inspires others.

• By taking a more proactive talent management approach, we will nurture the potential of our people, attracting, developing and retaining our talent to build a strong pipeline of future leaders for the profession
• Through understanding the critical skills gaps and setting leadership expectations we will enable our leaders to drive functional standards
• By building our leadership community, we will create a peer support network that holds collective responsibility for the implementation of standards across the profession.