Programmes and Development Grid
Overview | About Us | Programme and Development Path | PSG | Tailored and Consultancy | International Assignments
The National School of Government can offer you the learning you need to build up your skills, increase your personal effectiveness, and accelerate your Fast Stream career. Not just for your first promotion, but a repertoire of transferable skills that you can draw on wherever your career takes you.Why use us?
As the leading training provider for the UK Civil Service, we are part of government and work at its heart, with access to the key players, analysts and influencers in Westminster, Whitehall, the devolved administrations, academia and the media. As a result, we’re uniquely positioned to help your development as a Fast Streamer.
How we can help
Everyone’s career is different and so we have created a Development Grid that’s a useful means of seeing what training courses are available and the best stage of your career to attend them, together with the PSG skills for each course. Click on the headings below to find out more about the training programmes available in each section.
Starting Out – Year 1
Induction, introductory and essential knowledge courses that are best attended at the outset, within the first few months, or within the first year.
Making Further Progress – Years 2-3
Preparing for or starting specific roles: policy making, communications, operational delivery, stakeholder management, project/programme management, and working with or in Private Office.
Line Management skills
Courses for those who are preparing for their first management responsibilities, as well as courses to increase the effectiveness of those who already have experience in this area.
Unlocking SCS Potential - Years 3-4
Courses to ensure you have the necessary skills and personal effectiveness to succeed at Grade 7.
Advice and Support
We have dedicated Fast Stream Account Managers who are former Fast Streamers themselves, and who are happy to help you with a wide array of invaluable advice about the programmes or any aspect of your development.
Kate Thomson 01344 634 436 kate.thomson@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk
Andy Lewis 01344 634 429 andy.lewis@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk
Jennifer Wright 01344 634 136 jennifer.wright@nationalschool.gsi.gov.uk
STARTING OUT - YEAR 1
Induction, introductory and essential knowledge courses that are best attended at the outset, within the first few months, or within the first year. Click on the course titles in the table for more information and for booking.
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Course and Key Points |
Timing Tips |
PSG Skills |
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The starting point to get to grips with life as a Fast Steamer.
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Ideally, all Fast Streamers should go on this course within 1 month of taking up
their first post, or within 3 months at the latest. |
Leadership (direction and capability);
People Management (managing your own development) |
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Parliament, Government and the Civil Service
The definitive essential grounding in parliamentary and government processes.
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As early as possible, ideally within the first 3 months. |
Policy (sector knowledge, partnership working
and stakeholder management, and policy delivery)
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This is a shorter alternative to Parliament, Government and the Civil Service, designed
for those who wish to learn about the government framework in a little less depth,
or for those on the professional schemes[1]. |
If attending this course as an alternative to Parliament, Government and the Civil
Service, go on it as early as possible, ideally within the first 3 months.
Fast Streamers on the professional schemes should attend within the first 12 months. |
Policy (sector knowledge, partnership working
and stakeholder management, and policy delivery) |
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Induction Programme for Government Economists
An invaluable orientation to the Civil Service and the role of economists. |
Those on the Economists Fast Stream should go on this course as early as possible
- ideally within 1-3 months of joining. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); People Management (organising
priorities, managing your own development, recognising good performance)
Policy (partnership working and stakeholder management, strategy, and policy delivery) |
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Introduction to Government Finance
The processes departments and agencies use to obtain, manage and account for their funding.
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As soon as possible if your post involves finance or spending; however, all Fast Streamers need to develop an understanding of government finance so should complete by end of year 2
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Financial Management |
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A fast-paced but detailed introduction into the EU and its institutions.
For European Fast Streamers it is first in their induction package.
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Within the first 6 months for European Fast Streamers[2]
and as soon as possible for those whose post requires EU knowledge.
Within years 2 and 3 for others, as all Fast Streamers should have a good understanding
of the EU.
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Policy (policy design, sector knowledge,
partnership working and stakeholder management) |
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A basic skills course on communicating effectively at all levels, with the focus
on oral communication.
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Instinctively talented communicators can forgo this course and go straight to Communicating
in a Policy Environment.
Others, particularly those coming from a technical background, would find it useful
to attend within the first 12 months. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); People Management (communicating
the organisation's priorities and coaching and developing others); Policy
(partnership and stakeholder management); Operational Delivery
(customer service) |
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Communicating in a Policy Environment
The specific communication skills needed to operate effectively in high-profile,
policy posts. |
All Fast Streamers need to be able to communicate confidently and effectively within
a policy environment, so this course should be done early in your Fast Stream career. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy ((policy
design, sector knowledge, partnership
working and stakeholder management, policy delivery). |
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How to contribute to and make meetings more effective, including chairing skills.
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As early as possible for those whose posts involve contributing to meetings. For
all others, it can wait until year 2. |
Leadership (integrity and results); Policy
(partnership and stakeholder management); Operational Delivery
(customer service and partnership working and stakeholder management)
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Communicating Complex Information in Writing
Fail-safe drafting techniques for those who have to communicate complex, technical
or detailed information to a lay readership. |
As early as possible for those whose posts involve communicating this type of information.
For all others, it can wait until year 2. |
Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy (partnership
working and stakeholder management, policy delivery) |
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How to improve your skills in presenting oral and written briefings. |
All Fast Streamers need to be able to brief ministers and senior officials effectively,
so this course should be done as soon as possible.
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Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability);
Policy (policy design,
sector knowledge, partnership working and stakeholder management and policy delivery); Analysis and Use of Evidence |
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Awareness of the environment in which policies are made and delivered, and practical
approaches and techniques for better policy making. |
As soon as possible after starting to work on policy issues.
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Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy
(policy design, sector knowledge, partnership working and stakeholder management,
strategy, policy delivery); Operational Delivery
(change management) |
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[1] Fast Stream economists and statisticians are known as 'the
professional schemes', whilst all other Fast Streamers are known as the 'Graduate
Fast Stream' (previously known as the 'General Fast Stream'), which includes all
the other categories of Fast Streamers.
[2] EU for the Fast Stream, together with the Familiarisation
Visit to
MAKING FURTHER PROGRESS - YEARS 2-3
Preparing for or starting specific roles: policy making, communications, operational delivery, stakeholder management, project/programme management, and working with or in Private Office. Click on the course titles in the table for more information and for booking.
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Course and Key Points |
Timing Tips |
PSG Skills
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A practical introduction to all aspects of analysis and use of evidence.
Ensures your decisions are evidence-based and accurate.
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Attend in year 2 if in a policy role.
Others can wait till year 3. |
Analysis and Use of Evidence |
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How to pursue your objectives successfully, whilst still maintaining cooperative
relationships. |
A key skill for all Fast Streamers: should be completed as soon as possible for
those whose posts involve negotiating. Others can wait until years 2 and 3 |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); People Management; Policy (policy
design, partnership working and stakeholder
management, strategy); Operational delivery
(customer service) |
|
The essential course for those preparing for operational delivery roles. |
Best attended in the months prior to taking up an operational delivery role, or
in the first few months of that role. |
Operational Delivery (customer service, change
management, partnership working and stakeholder management, organisational performance
management) |
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Reconciling Confidence Dilemmas
Build inner confidence and hone interpersonal skills to communicate successfully
in all circumstances. |
Within year 2 if your post requires you to build stakeholder partnerships.
For all others within year 2 or 3. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); partnership working and stakeholder
management |
|
How the private sector works, and how companies are affected by government. |
As soon as possible for those whose work involves or impacts upon the private sector.
Within year 3 for others, as all Fast Steamers should have an understanding of the
private sector |
Policy (policy design and sector knowledge) |
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Programme Management for Fast Stream
An overview of programme management and how it can be applied to the policy context. |
As soon as possible for those whose posts involve programme management. Within year
2 or 3 for others, since departments are increasingly using PPM techniques to deliver
policy.
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Project and Programme Management |
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A detailed introduction to project management with the emphasis on the practical
and how to run projects successfully. |
As soon as possible for those whose posts involve project management. Within year
2 or 3 for others, since departments
are increasingly using PPM techniques to deliver policy. |
Project and Programme Management |
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Practical Financial Management Skills for PSG
Together with Introduction to Government Finance, this covers all the PSG Financial Management requirements. |
In year 1 if your post has anything to do with finance or spending, otherwise in years 2 or 3 |
Financial Management |
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An overview of how ministers and their Private Offices
operate and how to develop a successful relationship with Private Secretaries,
Diary Managers and Ministers. |
Within year 1 for those working in or with Private Office.
At any time to give an insight for those considering a job in Private Office.
Within year 3 for all others who believe they will be involved with Private Offices
in the future. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); Policy (policy
delivery, partnership working and stakeholder
management);
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For those whose move to Private Office is imminent.
In-depth understanding of the knowledge, skills and techniques needed to
succeed.
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Attend in the months immediately prior to starting a job in Private Office. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); Policy (policy
delivery, partnership working and stakeholder
management);
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How to write memorable and interesting speeches. |
As soon as possible for those whose posts involve writing speeches.
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Policy (partnership working and stakeholder management,
policy delivery) |
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE ROLES
- The EU
- The legal framework
Course
and Key Points Timing
Tips PSG
Skills Familiarisation
Visit to the Brussels Institutions See
the Within
the first few months for the European Fast Stream, and as soon as possible
for those who work on EU matters. (You
should complete EU for the Fast Stream first - see
above) Policy
(sector knowledge, partnership working and stakeholder
management, strategy, policy design, policy
delivery) Concise,
practical overview of the legislative process in the EU and the skills and
approaches needed for successful negotiations in Within
the first 12 months for European Fast Streamers, and as soon as possible
for any Fast Streamers who become involved in EU negotiations.
(You
should complete EU for the Fast Stream first - see
above). Leadership
(integrity, direction, results and
capability); Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy (policy delivery, strategy, sector knowledge);
partnership working and stakeholder
management. Introduction
to Government Finance
The
processes departments and agencies use to obtain, manage and account for
their funding. Within
the first 12 months if your post involves finance or spending, or you want
to gain a general overview of government finance. Otherwise it can wait
until years 2-3. Financial
Management Practical
Financial Management Skills for PSG Together
with Introduction to Government Finance, this covers all the PSG Financial
Management requirements. In
year 1 if your post has anything to do with finance or spending, otherwise
it can wait until year 3. Financial
Management An
introduction into the process by which policy is turned into law and how
legislation is interpreted.
Within
years 1 or 2 if you are working on legislation. No prior knowledge
assumed. Leadership
(integrity, direction, results and
capability); Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy (policy design, partnership working
and stakeholder management,
strategy)
Click on the course titles in the table for more information and for booking.
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Course and Key Points |
Timing Tips |
PSG Skills |
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An in-depth course for
those who are or will be managing and leading people and teams, with the focus on
management techniques.
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At any time immediately before or after you take up a post with people management
responsibility. In addition, management skills are clearly vital for many operational
delivery posts. |
People Management; Leadership (integrity, direction,
results and capability); partnership working
and stakeholder management |
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Leadership and People for Fast Streamers
Transformational leadership for those who are already managers or in project teams.
It covers team working and change management, but mainly focuses on your leadership
style and how it is perceived by others.
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Attend after you have
had at least 6 months' experience of staff management. We recommend that you attend
Managing People first.
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People Management; Leadership (integrity, direction,
results and capability); Analysis and Use of Evidence; Policy Design;
partnership working and stakeholder management |
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Leadership and Self-Development in the Outdoors
An outdoors version of
the above programme for those who are already managers or in project teams.
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Attend after you have had at least 6 months' experience of staff management. |
As above |
UNLOCKING SCS POTENTIAL - YEARS 3-4
Click on the course titles in the table for more information and for booking.
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Course and Key Points |
Timing Tips |
PSG Skills |
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A unique and highly interactive experience that will help you to maximise your impact,
by consolidating your strengths and addressing your weaknesses. |
It is recommended that Fast Streamers should attend this course after at least 18 months on the scheme, although
for those with previous work experience, earlier attendance may be appropriate. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); Operational Delivery (change
management) |
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Assessment Centres Demystified
An idea of what to expect and how to prepare. |
Of greatest benefit in the months prior to attending an Assessment Centre. |
Leadership (integrity, capability). |
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Getting Things Done - Managing Time for Senior Staff
Develop your own and your staff's ability to manage and control workloads. |
Within years 3 and 4, or earlier for those managing larger teams. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); People Management |
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Career Development for Senior Women Managers
For women managers aspiring to the SCS: make informed choices about developing yourself
and your career.
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It is recommended that you should have at least 2 years' experience before attending
this course. |
Leadership (integrity, direction, results and
capability); People Management (managing
your own development) |
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Strategic thinking for policy staff responsible for turning their organisation's
ambitions into reality. |
Within years 3 and 4 |
Policy (delivery, strategy); Core skill
(for SCS): Strategic Thinking |
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PSG: Communications and Marketing
PSG core skill. Develop the capacity to use communication to add value to policies
and delivery.
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For Graduate Fast Streamers who have are mature in their learning and are looking
for the next stretch, this course which is primarily for the SCS is also of great
benefit for Graduate Fast Streamers.
Attend in year 4.
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Core skill (for SCS): Communications and Marketing |
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Strategic Communications for Policy Makers
How to achieve better policy outcomes through strategic communication and engagement.
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Within years 3 and 4, particularly if you are in a policy or communications post.
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Policy (partnership working and stakeholder management,
strategy, policy delivery); Core skills (for SCS):
Strategic Thinking; Communications and Marketing
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