Applications for the Civil Service's fast stream have already soared by 40% this year, with Cabinet Office sources acknowledging young professionals see the sector as a steady and secure option during the recession.
The 2010 fast-track scheme for graduates opened for applications on 21 September, and does not close until next month. But already, the number of youngsters seeking to join the Civil Service are significantly up against 2009's figures.
A Cabinet Office spokeswoman told The MJ: ‘We can't reveal the precise numbers just yet, since applications are ongoing, but we can acknowledge that applications are already up by 40% against last year.'
It follows a 6% increase in applications last year, after which Cabinet secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, told MPs he did not attribute the rise purely to the ‘financial turmoil' in the economy at the time.
He said talented graduates also saw the Civil Service as an ‘interesting, active area' of employment when compared with other big recruitment sectors, such as banking, finance and law.
Privately, however, Cabinet Office sources this week acknowledged the economic uncertainty was likely to direct more applicants for senior jobs towards the Civil Service.
While central government has targeted thousands of job cuts over the next few years, most have been aimed at lower-grade or temporary staff – in slight contrast to senior posts which have been axed in the private sphere.
One Cabinet Office source said: ‘It's too early for us to have undertaken any qualitative research into the rise in applications for the fast stream. But, anecdotally, there is some evidence that talented graduates see the Civil Service as a strong and steady sector when economic conditions are tough.'
Outside of the Civil Service fast stream, however, there are growing fears over the range of new jobs available across the public sphere.
Online recruitment firm, Monster, last week reported that total UK hiring levels were down by 33% against last year, with the education, healthcare and social work sectors badly hit.
