Meet - Government Economic Service
We are the Government Economic Service (GES), the professional body for economists in the Civil Service. With over 3,500 members, we are the largest recruiter of economists in the country.
We recruit student, graduate, and apprentice economists and support their professional development in more than 50 government departments and in locations across the UK.
The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship Programme (GESDAP) is the UK’s first economics degree apprenticeship. We will give you the opportunity to gain valuable experience whilst receiving a fee-free degree awarded by The University of Kent.
Apply if you want to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of UK citizens and work alongside other change-makers across the country.
Skills we look for
What makes us a great employer
Generous annual leave
We offer 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays. You also get an extra paid day off work for the King’s birthday.
Health, well-being and discount schemes
We provide a range of schemes, memberships, and well-being discounts to help you feel healthy and supported, in and outside of work. Things like:
- Discounted gym memberships
- Retail discounts
- Cycle to Work schemes
- Reward and Recognition vouchers
- Technology and smartphone discounts
- A Financial Well-being portal
Flexible working
Flexible working patterns allowing you to vary the length of your working day, as long as you work your total monthly full time contracted hours.
Generous pension scheme
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of the best workplace pension schemes in the UK public sector.
Apprenticeships Details
Government Economic Service Degree Level Apprenticeship
The Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship (GES DAP) is the first economics degree apprenticeship in the country. It’s a unique opportunity to earn a fee-free economics degree, whilst working in a paid government economics role. Our apprentices work on some of the most important issues our country faces. This could be questions like:
- How can the government support small businesses to grow?
- How can the government support people to kick-start their lives after prison?
- How can government act to protect the environment?
How does the apprenticeship work?
Apprenticeships are offered across England. Typically, our apprentices spend 4 days per week working in their government department, and 1 day studying online with the University of Kent.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will gain an economics degree (with no tuition fees to pay back), four years’ work experience in the Civil Service, and a guaranteed permanent government role. This sets you up to build a brilliant career as an economist.
A successful programme
Our first cohort of economics degree apprentices graduated in summer 2023. An incredible 97% achieved a 2:1 degree or above!
Applying for our Apprenticeships
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Start
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1
To begin your application you will need to create an account on our application portal.
You will be asked to give your personal details, along with details of your academic qualifications. You will also be asked to complete a personal statement (1,000 words max.)
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2
You will need to have access to a laptop/desktop computer.
You may be required to complete two online tests: verbal and numerical.
More information on how to prepare and practice tests are available here.
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3
If you meet the pass mark that has been set for the online tests, your application will be sent for sifting (marking) where assessors will look at your personal statement. If you are successful at the personal statement sift, you will then be invited to an online interview.
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4
The assessment for the GES DAP programme has several elements and you will be provided with full details of how it will take place and what you will be asked to do. Initially, you will complete a timed written exercise which will be marked by two Civil Servants. Then, at a different time you will come to an online interview where you will complete a presentation exercise and be asked questions by two members of the Civil Service. This combination of tasks and activities enables us to evaluate your suitability for the apprenticeship programme.
The outcome of the assessments will be communicated to you via the recruitment portal notification system.
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5
If you are successful and gain a place on the programme you will be allocated to a government department. Allocations will be made in merit order based on interview scores. We will try to place you into one of your top three location preferences, however due to large numbers of applications this is not always possible.
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End
Need some extra support?
The Civil Service is committed to being the most inclusive employer in the UK. To find out more about the adjustments applicants can ask for during the recruitment process, please watch the short film: Requesting a reasonable adjustment for the Civil Service online tests.
What our apprentices do!
I have received plenty of support from my employer in regards to offering help with difficult uni modules and ensuring I have sufficient study time to hit deadlines. My employer makes sure my study time always feels like a priority.
The subject is interesting and engaging, it’s a privilege to be doing work that I enjoy whilst also knowing that I can support decision making which will have a real positive impact on society and people’s lives.
The programme is very enjoyable and provides a good balance of work and study. The work is very rewarding as is most of the university content.
Behind the Scenes
What is it like to work for the Government Economic Service?
Information & Resources
