Assessment Centre Candidate Information Pack 2015

Contents Page

1. Introduction 2

2. Introduction to assessment centres 2

3. Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme Assessment Centre 3

4. Assessment centre exercises 4

5. On the day 5

6. Tips for effective performance 7

7. Post assessment centre 8

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1. Introduction

Thank you for your application to the Civil Service Fast Tack Apprenticeship Scheme.
You have been invited to the next stage of the selection process, which is an
assessment centre.

This pack provides you with information regarding the important documents that you
need to bring with you and about the day itself.

2. Introduction to Assessment Centres

An assessment centre is a process that involves several selection methods to assess

your skills, knowledge and personal attributes. Skills, knowledge and attributes are
collectively known as competencies. The assessment centre is designed to allow you to
demonstrate a number of competencies that would otherwise be difficult to measure in a
single selection method such as an interview.

Benefits

An assessment centre is a standardised process for all candidates applying to the

role.

You will be observed and assessed by several assessors, making the process fairer.

An assessment centre is designed to simulate the type of tasks you may be required
to do if you are selected for the scheme.

An assessment centre gives you more than one opportunity to demonstrate your
strengths.

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3. Civil Service Fast Tack Apprenticeship Scheme: Assessment Centre

On the day of the assessment centre you will undergo a range of activities, which will
help us to assess your strengths against five competencies. The competencies have
been identified as important for effective performance in Fast Track Apprenticeship
roles.

These competencies are:

Collaborating and Partnering

This requires working effectively, sharing information and building supportive,
responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders whilst having the confidence
to challenge assumptions.

Delivering at Pace
This is about focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking
responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

Making Effective Decisions

Effectiveness in this area is about using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to
provide accurate, expert and professional advice.

Managing a Quality Service

This is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the
quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.

Building Capability
Effectiveness in this area is having a strong focus on your own continuous learning. You
are open to learning about keeping your own knowledge and skill set current and
evolving.

At the assessment centre you will be required to undertake an interview, a written

exercise and a group exercise. These have been designed to test the above
competencies and to mirror the challenges that you are likely to encounter on the job.

Please read the background information below in preparation for the assessment
centre.

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Background Information

The Civil Service has a grade structure. The basic organogram below will provide you
with an understanding of how the role you are applying for fits within the organisation.

Senior
MiddleManager Executive
Officer(SEO)

FirstlevelofMiddle Higher
Executive
Management Officer(HEO)

Managementlevel(role Executive
youhaveappliedfor) Officer(EO)

Administrative
ProcessManagement Officer(AO)

Administrative
AdministrativeSupport Assistant(AA)

To give you some insight into the type of work you may be asked to complete as an Executive
Officer (EO) in the Civil Service, the written exercise and the group exercise have been set in a
fictional Government Department: Digital Services Support Agency.

Please note that the situations, policies, procedures and people described during the exercises
are entirely fictitious. Your responses should be based on the information provided in the brief
given on the day, and the overarching scenario and not any prior knowledge that you may have
about your current work or any knowledge of the Civil Service. All the information that you need
to complete each exercise will be provided for you.

4. Assessment Centre Exercises

At the assessment centre, you will be required to complete the following (in no particular
order):

Interview
Written Exercise
Group Exercise

Further information about the above exercises and instructions will be provided on the
day.

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5. On the Day

When you arrive, you will be greeted by staff who will request to see your identification
documents. Further information about this can be found below. As part of the
registration process you will be expected to complete health and security forms.

Documentation to bring with you

1. To confirm your qualifications you must bring the following with you:
Original certificates of your GCSE results (or equivalent).

2. You should bring original document(s) which provide proof of your:

Full Name;
Date of Birth;
Full Permanent Address;
National Insurance Number; and
Photo identification.

This can be provided from any (one or more) of the following:

Current, signed, full passport; National ID Card and/or other documentation

relating to immigration status and permission to work;

a passport size photograph (signed and dated to confirm that it is a true

likeness by a person of standing (e.g. Doctor/Lawyer/Civil Servant) this will
be retained by the assessment centre.

Current full or provisional UK driving licence (please bring photo card and
paper counterpart);

UK Birth or Adoption Certificate or National ID Card/Residency

Permit/Certificate of Registration or Naturalisation or British Citizenship;

Proof of Residence (issued within the last 6 months and addressed to your
current address) either from a bank, public utility bill or council tax bill.

Proof of National Insurance number (with name on it) e.g. P45/P60/payslip

Dress Code

The dress code is smart; normal office attire should be worn.

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Verification of Nationality and Immigration Status

To be eligible for a post on the Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme all applicants must
be European Economic Area (EEA) nationals (including British citizens),
Commonwealth citizens, Swiss nationals or, in some circumstances, Turkish nationals.
The nationality requirements are determined by the Civil Service nationality
requirements.

If you are successful, you will be asked about your nationality at birth, whether you have
ever possessed any other nationality or citizenship, whether you are subject to
immigration control and whether there are any restrictions on your continued residence
or employment in the UK.

Certain posts, notably those concerned with security and intelligence, might be reserved
for British citizens, but this will not normally prevent access to a wide range of
developmental opportunities within the Civil Service.

All applicants should be aware that a lack of sufficient background information may
preclude an applicant from being granted security clearance. If you hold dual nationality
(i.e. you are a British citizen and are also a national of another country) this should not
preclude you from joining.

Immigration

Please note that as well as meeting the Civil Service nationality requirements, you must
also meet any requirements applicable to you under the UKs immigration system. It is
possible to meet our nationality requirements but still not be legally entitled to work in
the UK. If this applies to you, it may not be possible to offer you employment in the Civil
Service.

The UK Governments immigration policies are carried out by the Home Office, which
operates a points-based immigration system. If you are a candidate holding a nationality
from outside the EEA or Switzerland (and eligible Turkish applicants), you will probably
be subject to immigration control and should find out more about your position before
applying. It is your responsibility to check whether you are affected by immigration
regulations.

Any employment will be contingent on the candidates continued right to live and work in
the UK. Applicants should be aware that their employment may be terminated should
that right expire.

In light of on-going changes to the UK immigration system, candidates should ensure

they are aware of adjustments to the system which may affect them.

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6. Tips for effective performance

We anticipate the day to be fast paced, challenging and stretching. There will also be
plenty of breaks, to allow you to recharge. We will ensure that you feel supported and
are offered many opportunities to demonstrate your capabilities.

In preparation for the assessment centre, we recommend that you understand the
competencies that you will be measured against at the assessment centre. Most
importantly, be yourself at the assessment centre. The exercises have been designed
to help you demonstrate your strengths.

Interview Preparation

The examples you give during the interview could come from things you have
done in any kind of setting for example, paid employment or voluntary work, at
school or college, in connection with your hobbies or interests etc.
The examples should focus on what you have personally done. Make sure you
refer to I rather than we.
To structure your answer try using the STAR acronym Situation, Task, Action,
Result.
Refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework for Executive Officers. This
will provide you with positive and negative indicators for each competency.

Other exercises

You will be expected to manage your own time during each exercise as such we
recommend that you bring a suitable watch to help you do this. However, you will not
be able to use your mobile phone as a stop watch as all candidates will be asked to
switch off their phones.

Please remember that we will be measuring how you perform across all of the exercises
so, if you feel that you have not done as well in one of the activities we recommend that
you try your best on the remaining exercises - as you can still make up for lack of
performance in the other activities.

Before the day of your assessment, make sure you get a good nights sleep.

You will not need to bring any equipment with you. Everything you will need including
pens, paper and pencils, will be provided for you.

If you wear glasses for reading, please ensure you bring them with you.

If you need to carry any medication with you, dont forget to check that you have
brought it.

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If you have a requirement for special arrangements for any aspect of the assessment
centre stage of the process, you need to contact us in advance to discuss these
requirements and for us to ensure we have the necessary arrangements in place ahead
of your attendance.

Please e-mail ras.candidates@capita.co.uk and we will discuss your requirements

individually with you.

7. Post Assessment Centre

We will be in touch with you in June 2015 and will inform you whether or not you have
been successful.

On behalf of the various central governments that are recruiting, we wish you all the
best.

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