Valtech works with Civil Service Human Resources to process applications for graduate talent.

May 22, 2023

Civil Service Human Resources (CSHR) is part of the Cabinet Office and provides an expert recruitment service across government. The ‘Apply Civil Service Fast Stream’ digital service is the primary channel for graduate recruitment to the civil service. Valtech has helped deliver a service that prioritised the candidate experience and shortened the recruitment process. This has contributed to CSHR winning The Times’ Top Graduate Recruiter for four years running.

Candidates can complete the recruitment process remotely, undertaking online tests, case studies and a half day virtual assessment centre, leading to a job offer for successful candidates. The digital service has helped to reduce the time taken to recruit, securing candidates in as little as five weeks rather than the many months it took previously. The service saves time by interlinking different assessment products and helps to make the civil service competitive and attractive for the best graduates.  

The system integrates the whole end-to-end application and assessment process, including third-party test and assessment providers. Applicant status and progress are recorded and displayed through a candidate dashboard, so they know what they still need to do. CSHR has a complete, integrated view of the process with data to monitor key performance indicators for the service, such as year-on-year comparisons and diversity profiles.

The Valtech team have worked alongside CSHR staff and third parties to ensure the whole deployment process is smooth for each campaign, setting up automation wherever possible. Ministerial changes in late Autumn 2022 required acceleration of the system preparation to meet the 2022 campaign. Valtech adapted the service to a new application process and test providers, launching quickly to support the recruitment objectives.

“Our purpose with CSHR is to ensure the delivery of the finest public services by attracting and developing the best public servants,” said Paul Wilson, Service Owner at CSHR. “Valtech worked alongside our team and the third-party assessment providers to ensure the service delivered a vastly improved experience for candidates and met our needs as a recruiter.”