Discussion: Is the work internship program for the civil service's lower-income sector a progression?
The civil service is set to make a significant change in its main internship programme, with the scheme now being restricted to applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This move, aimed at boosting social mobility and creating a workforce that better reflects the socio-economic diversity of the country, has sparked debate among HR experts, unions, and critics.
Kate Headley, co-founder and CEO of diversity consultancy The Clear Company, has challenged the argument of meritocracy, suggesting that intervention is necessary due to the unequal society we live in. On the other hand, Iain Mansfield, director of research at Policy Exchange and a former senior civil servant, objects to the new internship programme on the grounds of meritocracy.
The proponents of the change argue that the scheme aims to harness a broader range of talent and improve representativeness, resulting in better decision-making by the government. It responds to longstanding socio-economic imbalance in civil service recruitment, where lower socio-economic groups remain underrepresented despite gains in ethnic and disability diversity.
However, concerns have been raised about the method of defining working class status by parents’ occupations. Some HR experts view this as too narrow and potentially reductive, which risks reinforcing stereotypes and oversimplifying complex social realities. There are worries that this approach may exclude individuals who have faced significant disadvantages but do not meet the specific class criterion, potentially creating new gatekeeping rather than true equity.
Critics also emphasize that while the internship scheme is a good start, more comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure fair and transparent progression opportunities and to attract people with specialist skills. The civil service needs targeted action to address and remove 'hidden barriers' that may exist.
Leaders in the civil service need to embrace change to support individuals from different backgrounds and help them excel in roles they previously may not have had the opportunity to apply for. The new internship programme not only serves as a recruitment incentive but also aims to ensure the retention and promotion of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds within the civil service.
The civil service's working-class internship scheme is seen as a step forward to improve social mobility within the civil service. However, it is criticized for potentially missing out on top talent and resulting in worse governance for the country. The decision to restrict civil service internships to those from 'working class' backgrounds is also criticized as being against the principles laid down by civil service architects Stafford Northcote and Charles Trevelyan.
Keir Starmer, previously Labour Party leader, had stated that "too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline." Some argue that it is acceptable to discriminate when appointing interns to attract talent, but these internships are valuable in their own right.
Only 18% of the civil service's workforce comes from a working class background, according to the Social Mobility Commission. The new internship programme aims to ensure the retention and promotion of individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds within the civil service, a step towards creating a workforce that better reflects the socio-economic diversity of the country.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4]
- Education and self-development programs that focus on career development, policy, and legislation may be crucial for individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds to gain the necessary skills for job search in the civil service, given the new internship scheme's eligibility requirements.
- In the ongoing debate about the civil service's working-class internship program, some argue that it's important to consider implementing general news articles, skills-training sessions, and comprehensive reforms to foster inclusive career development and ensure fair opportunities within the civil service.
- As political leaders, HR experts, and unions continue to voice their concerns and opinions about the civil service's new internship program, it's essential to carefully assess the impact of the scheme on the country's socio-economic diversity, job-search dynamics, and long-term career development, considering various sources such as [1], [2], [3], [4].
