The Civil Service Masterclass is an MHCLG accredited scheme that falls under the Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) network and can be used to recruit individuals who would typically face barriers when applying for Civil Service roles. The scheme focuses on enhancing social mobility for the Civil Service within the Liverpool City region, Greater Manchester, County Durham and Darlington locations and is open to all departments based in these locations.
The scheme works with local authority partners, organisations and charities to refer individuals aged 19 years and over from areas of low social mobility, to join a 2-week face to face programme.
Appointments via this scheme will be offered on a Fixed Term Appointment basis for up to a maximum period of 24 months at AA, AO and EO level. There may also be opportunities for permanent employment after the first 12 months of the appointment, subject to satisfactory probation and performance reviews.
Learn about MHCLG’s Civil Service Masterclass
Show video transcript
- We are MHCLG. We are Civil Service Masterclasses. At MHCLG, we are the sponsors for Civil Service Masterclasses, an accredited scheme under the Going Forward into Employment network. Our pathway focuses on enhancing social mobility across the Civil Service within the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, with the ambition to expand in County Durham and Darlington.
- Our scheme works with local authority partners, organisations and charities to refer individuals aged 19 years and over from areas of lower social mobility, to join a 2-week face to face programme. Our scheme takes a different approach to recruiting and reducing barriers by utilising a more creative and inclusive approach.
- It saved us so much time. Instead of spending hours sifting hundreds of applications, we were able to go to these Masterclasses, speak to a couple of people, get to know them, speak to people we probably wouldn't have interviewed anyway. A lot of people are kind of new to the Civil Service. They might not have applied for our jobs. So yeah, it was definitely meeting people that we wouldn't have kind of seen before. The time saved was a huge thing.
- Because I've never come from a University background, and I think that that sort of helps other people who have not come from a University background to go, actually, I don't need to go down that route to climb the ladder.
- Candidates are provided with 60 guided learning hours in a practical setting, allowing them to show us what they can do rather than tell us.
- The reason the masterclass is different for me for other recruitment routes, is it taps into a market really of candidates that we wouldn't normally see coming through Civil Service applications. The Civil Service recruitment process for those that haven't gone through it before can be quite difficult to navigate. It can be difficult for those who are neurodiverse or have other challenges or barriers to the workplace.
- So from a candidate perspective, it kind of removes a lot of those barriers and help them get into work. From a business perspective, I think, it gives you more of a flavour of what that person is like, before they start within the business. Through traditional recruitment, obviously you meet someone through an interview or through a personal statement, but you can actually meet people in the flesh. You can meet them a few times. You can, you know, see what they're like, associate with other people, what the quality of the work is like. So by the time that person starts within our business, we've got more confidence that they're going to succeed in their role.
- We've been offered a lot of support in more ways than you'd even realise before you started the course, we didn't realise just how much support is there and how much, you know, we can achieve.
- The Masterclasses have allowed the department to build partnerships with local authorities, referral partners and training providers. It is delivering on the government's missions, breaking down barriers and bringing economic growth through serving the community.
Contact us to find out more
Whether you are an individual who would like to enrol onto the Civil Service Masterclass and learn more, or you are an employer who would like to understand more about our scheme and would be interested in using this for your department, please get in touch with the MHCLG Civil Service Masterclass Sponsors.
Our email address is recruitment@communities.gov.uk.
What makes Civil Service Masterclasses different?
The scheme offers 60 guided learning hours (over a 2-week period) to individuals in a practical setting, allowing them to show us what they can do rather than tell us.
We don’t use Civil Service Jobs to advertise, reducing barriers by using a more creative and inclusive outreach approach.
Masterclasses can be hosted at any point throughout the year, with offers made within 4 weeks of notifying us of your intention to use the scheme (subject to role requirements).
Masterclasses can be tailored for specific role requirements and there are no minimum number of roles to put forward to use the scheme.
Meet our Masterclass Sponsor Lead
Sophie L’Abert
Resourcing and Attraction Lead
“Applying for Civil Service positions can feel overwhelming due to complex processes, regional disparities, and personal circumstances.
The scale of the Civil Service makes it hard for new applicants to understand our work and navigate applications. These barriers limit our ability to recruit fresh talent and build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
The Civil Service Masterclass aims to break down these barriers and promote social mobility. It’s a bold, place-based approach to recruitment, putting applicant experience at the heart of the process.”
Success Stories from Civil Service Masterclasses
“The Masterclass was recommended to me by my Jobcentre advisor, and from the start it was clear the programme was supportive and well structured. We learned essential skills, and received guidance on writing personal statements, CVs, and using Behaviours and the STAR method.
The tutors were incredibly helpful; one even stayed late to help me prepare for the Diary Manager role I eventually secured at MHCLG in March 2025.
Since joining, I’ve passed probation, taken part in an internal policy committee, received two Exceptional Performance awards, and even visited the Houses of Parliament. Coming from hospitality and retail, the support from my manager and colleagues made all the difference.
The Masterclass transformed my career and confidence. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Quinn – MHCLG
Martyn – Home Office
“After losing my retail job, my Job Centre work coach suggested the Civil Service Masterclass to help build my confidence and skills, which, once on the course, you are guaranteed an interview.
Those two weeks were eye‑opening. I gained a real understanding of the Civil Service and saw how passionate people are about their roles. It made me realise this was the career path I wanted.
After completing the programme, I was interviewed and offered a role in the Home Office. It’s been an incredible experience so far, with supportive colleagues, a huge variety of roles, and real opportunities to progress.
There’s no other job like it, and I’m excited to see where my Civil Service journey goes next.”
“At the start of 2025 I lost my job and began Universal Credit. My work coach took the time to understand what I wanted and encouraged me to apply for the Civil Service Masterclass, even though I had very little office experience.
I was nervous at first, especially being dyslexic, but the tutors helped me build confidence and recognise strengths I didn’t realise I had. They showed me how to apply my skills to Civil Service expectations, which helped me professionally and personally.
After completing my interview, I was offered an Administrative Officer role in HR Shared Services at MHCLG. Four months in, we’re already discussing extending or making the role permanent.
Working in the Civil Service has been the best experience I’ve had. My team is supportive, friendly, and always willing to help. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity — it has changed my life.”
Kim – MHCLG
Civil Service Masterclass Success Rates
Civil Service Masterclasses received accreditation as a formal life chances scheme in January 2025.
Since then, we have run 9 cohorts; 6 in Liverpool City Region and 3 in Greater Manchester.
From these 9 cohorts, we have offered 165 candidates a role.
147 of these candidates are now in a Civil Service role or currently awaiting a start date once their onboarding is complete, giving us 90% success rate.
Who is eligible to join a Civil Service Masterclass?
In order to be able to be placed on a Civil Service Masterclass and to potentially be offered a role within the Civil Service, you will need to have the following eligibility criteria listed below.
Social Mobility
The candidate will come from a lower social mobility background.
Social Mobility refers to the difference between your life outcomes and those of your parents.
Right to Work in the UK and in the Civil Service
You will need to have a valid UK Passport OR a non-UK Passport with a right to work check. If the passport has expired or due to expire in 6 months or less, you will need to apply for a renewal before you can be referred to join the next Civil Service Masterclass.
Dismissals Check
You will need to declare if you have ever been dismissed from employment. You will also need to confirm the reasoning for the dismissal as this will impact whether you are eligible to join this scheme.
For further advice on this, contact the MHCLG Masterclass Sponsors on recruitment@communities.gov.uk
No previous Civil Service Employment
You will unfortunately not be eligible for this scheme if you have ever worked in the Civil Service before.
Civil Service Nationality Requirements
In general, only nationals from the following countries (and associations of countries) are eligible for employment in the Civil Service: the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Commonwealth.
Certain EEA, Swiss and Turkish nationals are also eligible for employment. However, they will need to be checked by the MHCLG Masterclass Sponsors.
Age
Candidates who are interested in joining the Civil Service Masterclass must be aged 19 or over to be eligible.
Criminal Records Check
You will need to declare any spent or unspent criminal convictions.
Any candidate who declares that they have a criminal record will not be eligible to join this scheme. However, this does not mean they are ineligible to join the Civil Service. There are other accredited life-chances schemes available for people with experience of the criminal justice system. These can be found here: GFiE pathways | Civil Service Careers
Interest in joining the Civil Service
The aim of this scheme is to enhance social mobility and recruit talent with a genuine interest in the Civil Service. Individuals will need to show that they are interested in having a career within the Civil Service.