It comes as the government moves civil service jobs outside of London, with thousands of roles relocated to Manchester since 2020
Roles are available in Manchester(Image: Copyright Unknown)
A new government apprenticeship scheme, offering school leavers a chance to ‘earn while they learn’, has opened with roles available in Manchester. Successful applicants would become apprentices in the civil service with opportunities available across the country.
They will get the chance to work in a government department, whilst being paid and completing a qualification that will set them up for a career in the civil service. A range of departments across government are taking part in the scheme including the Department for Business and Trade, Ministry of Justice and Cabinet Office with around 50 roles available in Birmingham, Manchester and London.
It comes as the government moves civil service jobs outside of London, with more than 2,000 relocated to Manchester since 2020.
Earlier this year, the government announced that the number of London-based jobs will be reduced by a further 12,000 by 2030.
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This will include moving civil service jobs to a new hub at the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats where 7,000 jobs will be based.
Manchester council, which bought Central Retail Park for £37m in 2017, has been working with the Government Property Agency on the plans to bring civil servants working in digital and AI-related jobs together in a new building at the site off Great Ancoats Street.
The new digital hub is part of the government’s plans to set up a new Government Digital and AI Innovation Campus in Manchester.
However, the Manchester Evening News understands that the new office complex in Ancoats is unlikely to open before 2028 which means that some relocated roles will be based at other government buildings in Greater Manchester before construction is complete.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden said: “We’re creating new ways for young people around the country to kickstart a career in the Civil Service so it reflects the people it serves.
“I want the most talented to join the Civil Service – whether they’ve been to university or not. This apprenticeship scheme is an opportunity to make that happen.”
The Cabinet Office says the new scheme is designed to give talented individuals the opportunity to have rewarding and fulfilling careers in the Civil Service – whether they went to university or not.
It will offer successful applicants a two-year contract to work in the civil service, whilst completing a level three apprenticeship, equivalent to two A-levels.
Apprentices will get dedicated support and time available to complete the training alongside their day job in the civil service.
The scheme, which is open to those aged 16 and over, will offer around 50 roles across three locations – Birmingham, Manchester and London – with an ambition for more roles and locations to be available in the future.