Civil Service Skills for Work

Prepare for Civil Service job applications while building skills for wider work opportunities. This two-week online course will guide you through the recruitment process and develop your customer service and communication skills.
City & Guilds Matrix

About the course

Course starting dates August 10th (fully booked), August 24th (fully booked), September 7, September 21
Course length This course lasts for two weeks, Monday to Friday.
Lesson times Your daily Zoom session runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with a one-hour lunch break.
Qualification Entry Level 3 Award in Employability Skills (VTCT) and Level 1 Award in Principles of Customer Service (VTCT)
Course location Online

What is the Civil Service?

The UK Civil Service supports the government of the day to develop and deliver policies and public services. Civil servants work across departments and agencies in many different roles, helping to deliver services used by people and communities across the UK.

The Civil Service is politically impartial and built around the values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. This course will help you understand how Civil Service recruitment works, while also building skills that are useful in many other jobs and sectors.

Why work for the Civil Service:

  • A wide range of career opportunities across different departments, professions and locations.
  • Roles that support public services and make a difference to people’s lives.
  • Flexible working options, annual leave and wider employee benefits.
  • Access to learning and development, including coaching, mentoring and work-based training.
  • A public service culture built around integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Why do this course:

  • Improve your CV, job applications and interview skills for Civil Service roles and wider job opportunities.
  • Understand the Civil Service recruitment process, including behaviours, application questions and interviews.
  • Join a live webinar with a Civil Service recruiter for first-hand insight into Civil Service careers and application tips.
  • Develop customer service and communication skills that are useful across many workplace roles.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

  • Create a clear, professional CV for Civil Service roles and wider job opportunities.
  • Complete stronger job applications, including Civil Service application questions.
  • Prepare for interviews, whether they are in-person or online.
  • Communicate clearly with customers, colleagues and service users.
  • Respond calmly to customer questions, problems and complaints.

Course Content

U1
The Civil Service offers a wide range of roles, from customer service to administration. This unit helps you explore those options and identify the roles that best match your skills, interests, and goals.
U2
This unit focuses on the Civil Service application process and how to approach it effectively, helping you make a strong first impression. You’ll learn what Civil Service recruiters, as well as other employers, are really looking for in a CV, and how to create one you can feel confident in. The unit also covers the full Civil Service application journey, including psychometric tests, verbal reasoning, situational judgement tests, and behaviour statements, so you understand what to expect and how to prepare.
U3
This course helps you build the skills and confidence needed to perform well in job interviews, with a clear focus on Civil Service roles. You’ll learn how to structure strong answers using the Civil Service Success Profiles, understand what interviewers are really looking for, and avoid common mistakes.
U4
This course helps you understand how to stay safe and responsible in the workplace. You’ll learn about key health and safety principles, how to identify risks, and what to do in different situations to protect yourself and others.
U5
Learn what good customer service means, how to understand different customer needs and expectations, and why customer satisfaction matters in the workplace.
U6
Develop practical communication skills, including questioning techniques, positive body language and choosing the right way to communicate with different people.
U7
Learn how to respond professionally to customer queries, common problems and complaints, while staying calm, polite and helpful.
U8
Understand key workplace expectations, including confidentiality, following organisational procedures, knowing the limits of your role and staying responsible at work.

Next Steps

Simply complete the short form on the right. You'll then immediately be able to complete your Fast-Track online registration.

This registration process will confirm your eligibility to have your qualification 100% government funded.

Join 95,000 other learners who have chosen to upskill with Strive Training - register now!


Frequently Asked Questions

This course is delivered live online through Zoom. It runs Monday to Friday for two weeks, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The course is designed to be completed over ten days. If you need extra time to complete any assignments, speak to your tutor and we’ll let you know what support is available.
No. The course is free for eligible learners.
Yes. This course has specific start dates. Please check the course details above or speak to your work coach for the next available date.
No. The course is assignment-based. You will complete assignments for each qualification and submit them to your assessor.
You will need basic confidence using a computer or laptop, the internet and Zoom. We’ll send you the link to join each session and explain what you need before the course starts.
Yes. On successful completion, you will receive nationally recognised certificates for the qualifications you achieve.
Certificates are usually processed by the awarding body within 8 to 12 weeks after achievement. If you have any questions, please email certification@strivetraining.co.uk

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