The FDA is inviting apprentice economists to become part of the union.

Last December, the civil service opened applications for individuals to apply for the new Government Economic Service Degree Apprenticeship. The first cohort of these apprentices have now begun their new roles, and the FDA are asking them to join the union.

The FDA Analysts’ Network has led the work in extending union membership to these new civil service professionals. The FDA hopes these prospective members will become part of the network, where they can share their experience with analysts from across government and advise the union on how to develop our support for these vital public sector professionals.

National Officer Wynne Parry, who represents Keystone – the FDA Section for members in grades HEO and SEO – is excited to welcome “the first tranche of apprentice economists to the civil service and to the FDA”. The FDA “represents economists across government,” he explained, and “is there to support them as individuals at every stage of their career”.

“The civil service needs a diverse senior leadership representative of every part of the UK,” he continued. “The start of this scheme marks a real step forward towards that aspiration.”

FDA National Officer Helen Kenny, who represents the union’s Analysts’ Network, shares Parry’s enthusiasm.

“We see this as a really important initiative by the Government Economic Service to widen access to the profession,” she said. “A diverse workforce is known to result in better policy decisions, which is better for us all. The FDA is keen to ensure that everyone taking up a position as an apprentice economist has the best chance of success and we believe that our union is well placed to support the group in that aspiration, both individually and collectively. Becoming a member of the FDA is one of the best decisions they can make.”