Mentors sought as scheme expands to the North West

As a second phase of the FDA's public sector mentoring scheme, the union is working with three partners - the Cabinet Office, Liverpool John Moores University and Middlesex University - to provide mentoring for 50 undergraduates from diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a civil service career.

Neil Rider, manager of FDA Learn, said: "We are delighted to be working with Liverpool John Moores University as our mentoring project expands. It's also pleasing to be to be working with Civil Service North West and to be able to respond to numerous requests to establish the scheme in that area of the country."

The scheme is seeking mentors who are civil service fast streamers, or grade 6 or 7 civil servants who have been through an assessment centre in recent years, to be paired with mentees from the two universities.

Rider said: "The FDA believes it is right to look beyond the fast stream to find mentors who would be willing to dedicate a small amount of time in this way and, not least, develop their own mentoring skills. The bigger picture is that it will also help to create a senior cadre in the civil service that better represents the society it serves."

If you are interested in getting involved in the scheme as a mentor, please contact Neil Rider at neil@fda.org.uk.