Debate contribution: Civil Service Careers
Debate contribution by Mr John O'Dowd on .
- MLA
- Mr John O'Dowd
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Civil Service Careers
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786141
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Attracting more young people to the Civil Service is a priority for my Department. We promote the wide range of available careers through engagement with schools, universities and careers events. We also provide practical routes to public service through apprenticeships, skills academies, student placements and work placements. During 2026, more than 200 people were appointed through the operational delivery apprenticeship scheme, and phase 3 of the JobStart scheme provided 21 paid placements, with 15 participants accepting permanent Civil Service positions. This year, 108 students are undertaking placements across a range of disciplines and Departments. Recruitment for the 2027-28 student placement scheme will open this month, offering approximately 100 opportunities. My Department is also developing an employability scheme for care leavers, which will offer paid placements of up to 51 weeks, with the potential for permanent appointment on completion of the placement.
141 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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