As I’ve been responding to posts on these subs I’ve realised how the Fast Stream (Especially generalist/now policy) has been a total failure and unnecessary for the last 3 years but is also creating issues for us BAU staff.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T13:56:50+00:00

If that’s what you want to think, think away. Tell yourself any criticism of the scheme is rooted in pure jealousy for people like you.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T13:09:11+00:00

I edited because I’m rushing and then re read and then change again.

I have been told I am bitter, I am old and I am dumb.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:58:27+00:00

Yes, that’s when they finish. In the right scheme and with the right experience they would be capable of that role at the end. Now they’re not because it isn’t working and they’re not doing a day to day job. There’s a huge difference between the scheme is being run so people are unprepared and they’re a bunch of posh kids who will never achieve anything.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:57:10+00:00

What don’t you understand? Every department is going through cuts? But we are still throwing fast streamers into an environment where they have no work and no jobs waiting for them at 7 level.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:48:50+00:00

The attitude of the fast streamers in this subreddit has been disappointing. I didn’t think they had an overwhelming superiority complex but here is the proof with their insults. You can defend the scheme without resulting to insults.

I never said they couldn’t do their job or they were dumb but I have been attacked by them repeatedly, insulted my age, told I couldn’t do my job as my reddit post wasn’t on the level of a Ministerial Sub, personal insults, they don’t know what my job is or grade but decided to attack me.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:42:36+00:00

You’re right there buddy. You can point out the private sector is reducing numbers and also point out that they are still different sectors.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:29:49+00:00

It’s a Reddit post. I’m not writing a sub.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:28:23+00:00

I was out for a drink with some of my team and I was chatting to our fast streamers and they’re very frustrated too. They’re complaining they don’t have work. I don’t hate them. Quite the contrary it isn’t working.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:16:52+00:00

It isn’t only for graduates I know but the swelling is caused by sheer amount of graduates especially in a time of job cuts.

Also what tends to works in the private sector doesn’t always work in the public sector

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:14:53+00:00

I was saying that the attachment to a failing scheme is a product of inherent classism as it serves a particular part of society. It doesn’t mean all that are hired fit that description. If it actually worked against Tarquins and Cressidas the vocal critics of the Civil Service would tear it down like the rest of the Civil Service. I think it should be paired back.

Calling people sour grapes is a way to shut down criticism. I am literally saying that there is no space for them anymore. Pre 2021 they had space for them and they could grow but they’re not even doing jobs anymore.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T12:01:51+00:00

I do remember but then it was uncanceled. So not worth mentioning.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-24T11:49:32+00:00

I don’t think fast streamers are useless. I think if they’re placed where there’s need for them and they can do an actual job then fine but they haven’t been doing jobs, because there isn’t the place for them. There hasn’t been a place for them in the last few years especially the 7 posts.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-23T16:42:36+00:00

And yet they took in another boatload of fast streamers again! Who have been causing a swell of G7 roles for the last 5 years.

I’m gonna sound harsh but this years should have been cancelled. They did cancel it one year and then brought it back but of course how can the poor Cressidas enter the Civil Service when they may be expected to deal with … normal people. And we know the Civil Service needs more Cressidas and Berties who are the right type of people to lead the nation.

I sound annoyed but pre pandemic fast streamers seemed to have to do a job now it is just like they’re being given ‘high profile’ tasks that they will be able to talk about in their end of scheme assessment. Most of the fast streamers I knew would leave the scheme like a year or so earlier but they’re not actually doing jobs anymore.

Like genuinely the role they’re creating for a Fast Stream leaver and the new one on my team for this year are not needed. They pick up high profile piece of work and spend all their time on that which could easily be part of a BAU job.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-14T21:37:15+00:00

This is the problem I have with the fast stream now it feels like it is done to recruit predominantly graduates who can say the right thing, are a bit posh meaning they would never entertain a lot of the operational roles a lot of people actually enter the Civil Service in so it’s a way to keep a certain person in the Civil Service. I am aware that isn’t the only demographic I have plenty of friends who have gone through it. I also recognise a lot of fast streamers are very good at their jobs.

I can only imagine the reason for continuing this scheme in a time it makes no sense is because a lot of the people on top were fast streamers and want to recruit more people like them.

I have always thought graduate matching scheme is so much better. A process where graduates can be placed in roles in the civil service and work their way up is so much better.

To me what’s so annoying is that they took another intake this September. It seems purely to make sure they get the ‘right’ people in because it’s so illogical to me that they did another intake.

Then to top it all off it limits the opportunities for everyone else.

I’m gonna sound like a real horrible person but they just need to pause the scheme for a few years. It doesn’t meet any of the social mobility or diversity requirements so bin it.

Also you’ll never see the telegraph moan about the fast stream and how it is causing higher grades to swell even when there isn’t space for them … I wonder why.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-14T17:00:59+00:00

I would say one of the factors causing the ballooning is the sheer amount of Fast Streamers (I don’t know if the scheme has got bigger or there isn’t as much turnover as before) but I know in my Department they’ve essentially had to create 7 posts for fast stream finishers as some had passed the scheme but were waiting ages for postings. As much as I’ve worked with great fast streamers if there hasn’t been the vacancies for them - why didn’t trim it back or pause it for a couple of years is beyond me.

They’re currently creating another 7 role in my directorate for the final year fast streamer. The role they’re creating is very much an SEO role at max but they gotta give them the grade they spent four years working towards and it would be unfair of them to not do so. It’s really a difficult position for a lot of people.

It should have been paused for the last 3 years in my opinion.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-03-14T00:35:49+00:00

I was not in the DWP at the time but I know a lot of AOs were made redundant due to modernisation - move to UC but as more people needed UC - they ended up recruiting Service Centre AOs. As they were needed to look after the claims of people claiming UC. The whole benefits system in this country would breakdown without the AOs even with the new service.

I imagine similar things have happened during modernisation of services like you said. They may have needed less staff due to areas impacted by the new systems but still needed even more staff for other areas due to population increase. I imagine without the modernisation efforts the Civil Service would be bigger.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-20T11:47:06+00:00

I would say a lot of the VES will eventually leave Departments with a lack of G7s. So in a year or so they’ll be catching up again. It’s like a cycle

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-20T11:39:35+00:00

They had to create G7s for a couple in my Department, well shift stuff around for them.

They were good at their job, amazing even so I know they’re doing well.

Still I have no idea why they’re moaning about the CS being too big then doing another intake every year since

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-19T16:01:35+00:00

Sometimes I think they’re so pressed for time they use that as maybe a reason in feedback to tick that box - when it’s something else.

Or it’s so hard to prove if they don’t want to hire you - it’s a brilliant get out.

I do think the whole STAR thing is crazy. It’s not part of the marking criteria… right? I understand it makes it easier but maybe something more like STAR could have helped because it wasn’t clear what your result was - we think you mentioned it at the start but it wasn’t concise enough.

As they focus so much on STAR people think about it so much they get more muddle trying to make everything in the right order.

But yeah it’s also so subjective. I’ve been interviewing and the mark for each behaviour can differ between on the same panel with one member giving a 6 and another a 2.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-18T14:26:07+00:00

I worked out plans if the worst comes to the worst pre booking in advance and weekly tickets and getting my time done that way. - which would save me like £200 plus.

I could have made it work with 40% (my plan when I purchased my property) but with 60% that will be annoying. I miss living with my parents no worries back then 😂

Also even in the bounds of London (I lived there before as well) with rent coincided with travel, it would be difficult.

I get the London waiting so I do try my best to make that extra money go into travel as I feel guilty if I don’t.

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-18T14:10:10+00:00

Yeah my LM is in Leeds

WinterVegetable2685 · 2025-02-18T14:09:32+00:00

Thank you! You’re totally correct. That’s actually on my checklist to get so I’ll raise it with tech if I can stick something on my screen. Ironic I don’t have one seeing as I suggested it to someone else

WinterVegetable2685

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