Menu
Departments
Back to main menu
Professions
Back to main menu
Life in the Civil Service
Back to main menu

Commercial scheme

Scheme duration

3.5 years

Location

UK wide

Scheme overview

On the Commercial Fast Stream, you’ll learn how to negotiate contracts worth billions of pounds. Helping to keep our citizens safe, build important public assets such as schools, railways, roads and hospitals – and deliver essential frontline public services.

What you’ll experience

Throughout the 3.5 year Commercial Fast Stream scheme, you’ll gain experience across various government departments, developing key commercial skills and building essential networks. Past participants have taken on roles in high-profile projects, optimising supplier relationships, and contributing to major energy procurement initiatives.

You’ll also obtain a CIPS qualification, providing foundational commercial knowledge that you’ll apply in different departmental assignments.

Successful completion of this programme results in full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), after 3 years’ experience in a responsible procurement role.

The commercial profession is diverse, offering many opportunities for career advancement. Your performance will drive your progression, both within and beyond the Fast Stream programme.

The benefits you’ll enjoy

Benefits include the Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working arrangements, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.

Demystifying the Commercial scheme

Supporting your learning

Undertake the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Corporate Award Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner programme. Successful completion of this programme results in full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), after 3 years’ experience in a responsible procurement role.

  • you’ll gain experience on how to address public sector specific learning needs, to drive more sustainable, transparent and ethical commercial practices.
  • access to Government Commercial Function, cross-government events and conferences, as well as the opportunity to engage in other networking activities to support your wider learning.
  • build a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience, preparing you for leadership success in the commercial profession.
  • gain experience in a wide-range of commercial technical skills, such as contract management and policy development.

Rashida talks about her experience on the Commercial scheme, and why she chose to apply.

Commercial fast streamer, Zahra

About the scheme

Every year we invest £300 billion to provide public services to the UK. Central government alone invests over £49 billion each year on goods and services. Therefore, effective management of our commercial activities is incredibly important. As a Commercial fast streamer, you’ll play a role in ensuring the Civil Service achieves value for money for the public.

You’ll be joining us at an exciting time as our teams work to transform public procurement to maximise innovation and deliver wider economic benefits for the UK.

Commercial capability is increasingly recognised as the top skill sought by employers across all sectors. Building commercial expertise and skills is one of the top 3 priorities for the Civil Service.You will learn how to negotiate contracts worth billions and ensure that the government is in tune with its markets. You’ll also be responsible for managing relationships between the Civil Service and some of the biggest companies in the world.

The commercial activity carried out by the Civil Service attracts a huge amount of press and political attention. Applying sound judgement in commercial matters is vital in protecting the government’s reputation.

Scheme placement details

Show more

In your first year you’ll take on a commercial role within a government department for 12 months, such as the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Service, etc.

In your second year you’ll be offered to complete two 6-month placements. One of these will be a commercial role in government. The other will be a commercial secondment outside of government. You can also choose to do another 12 month posting in another government department.

You will be posted in a third government department for up to 18 months, which will aim to stretch your leadership skills further and encourage you to take on more challenging tasks. The final 6 months will focus on completing various end of scheme assessments.

Explore the schemes

Discover the Stories

Understand the process