{"id":16335,"date":"2013-06-14T11:52:33","date_gmt":"2013-06-14T11:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=6c0609d4091093101833857c5aa6d022"},"modified":"2013-06-14T11:52:33","modified_gmt":"2013-06-14T11:52:33","slug":"news-story-160-students-start-whitehall-internships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=16335","title":{"rendered":"News story: 160 students start Whitehall internships"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This week more than 160 undergraduate interns from declared ethnic minority and diverse socio-economic backgrounds started a 2-month Whitehall internship.<\/a> Candidates will spend time in a central department, learn about the Civil Service and how it operates and become involved in departmental projects, along with developing broader skills. They will also be paired up with existing Fast Streamers in departments who act as \u2018buddies\u2019 or mentors.<\/p>\n

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Applications are closed for 2013 but will open later this year for 2014. Find out who is eligible for the programme and how to apply.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The programme aims to raise awareness of career and training opportunities within government, particularly the Fast Stream scheme, and attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds into the Civil Service.<\/p>\n

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude said:<\/p>\n

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We are working to build a Civil Service which is more skilled, more dynamic and more innovative. We want to open up opportunities to talented individuals, whatever their background.<\/p>\n

Our Summer Diversity Internship programme offers young people from ethnic minorities and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds the chance to try out life in Whitehall. They will learn on the job and see if the Civil Service could be the right career path for them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Sir Bob Kerslake, the Head of the Civil Service, said:<\/p>\n

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Like any big organisation, the success of the Civil Service depends on its staff. I\u2019m absolutely committed to improving diversity in every part of the Civil Service to reflect and represent the society it serves.<\/p>\n

Internships are a great way to give ambitious young adults a vital first foot on the career ladder, enabling them to gain exposure to the workings of government, obtain valuable professional experience and give them an opportunity to build their leadership skills.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The most recent data indicates around 13% of the successful Fast Stream candidates were from an ethnic minority background, and the government is continuously striving to do even better in promoting the Fast Stream to a wider pool of diverse talent. <\/p>\n

Notes to editors:<\/h2>\n