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Blog

The public-sector careers blog.

In-depth, independent and plain-English articles on working in the public sector across the UK and Ireland — written by GovJobs and free to read. 100 articles and counting.

Pay & pensions
UK-wide7 min read

Public-sector staff benefits beyond pay: pensions, leave and discounts

Public-sector pay is only part of the deal. This guide walks through pensions, annual leave, sick pay, staff discounts and wellbeing support, and is honest about the trade-offs.

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Training
UK-wide8 min read

PRINCE2 and project management careers in the public sector

A plain guide to PRINCE2 and project careers in government, covering typical roles, Agile alternatives, funding your training and building experience without the title.

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Training
UK-wide8 min read

Degree apprenticeships: earn a degree while working in public services

How degree apprenticeships combine a paid public-sector job with a funded university degree, the main routes in nursing, social work, policing, digital and management, and how to apply.

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Careers
UK-wide8 min read

Public health careers: from local councils to UKHSA

What public health work involves, where the jobs sit in councils, UKHSA and the NHS, and the routes in — from degrees and apprenticeships to moving over from health and care roles.

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Careers
UK-wide9 min read

Volunteering and work experience routes into public services

How volunteering builds real evidence for public sector applications, from NHS wards to special constables, and how to turn unpaid experience into strong interview answers.

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Careers
UK-wide7 min read

Data analyst careers across the public sector

Where data analysts work across the NHS, councils and central government, what the job looks like day to day, and how to build the skills and portfolio that get you shortlisted.

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Civil Service
UK-wide7 min read

Digital, data and technology jobs in government

A plain guide to digital, data and technology jobs in government — the main role families, how adverts are written, entry routes for beginners and career switchers, and why the work matters.

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Careers
UK-wide7 min read

Fixed-term contracts in the public sector: what they mean for you

Fixed-term contracts are common across the public sector. This guide explains why they exist, the rights that come with them, and how to decide whether a temporary role is worth taking.

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Training
UK-wide8 min read

The Care Certificate: your first step into care work

What the Care Certificate is, who it is for, how you complete it in your first care job at no cost to you, and how it leads on to NHS and adult social care careers.

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Careers
UK-wide10 min read

Changing career into the public sector in your 40s or 50s

Changing career in your 40s or 50s is more common in the public sector than people expect. The sectors that value life experience, realistic retraining routes, and how to present your evidence.

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Civil Service
UK-wide8 min read

Ministry of Defence civilian careers

How civilians build careers at the Ministry of Defence — engineering, logistics, policy and science roles across the UK, no uniform required, and how to apply through Civil Service recruitment.

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Careers
UK-wide8 min read

Passing probation: your first six months in a public-sector job

What probation really means in the NHS, Civil Service and councils, the common wobbles new starters hit in their first months, and how to come through them well.

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