Government and public administration : Typical employers

Big players

Central government and civil service includes departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Departments manage aspects of government policy. They are funded by Parliament and most are headed by ministers and staffed by civil servants. 

The biggest departments are:

• Department for Work and Pensions;
• HM Revenue and Customs;
• Ministry of Justice;
• Ministry of Defence.

Executive agencies are part of departments, with their own management and budget. Agencies perform functions of government and deliver public services. The biggest agency is Jobcentre Plus, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions, followed by:

• National Offender Management Service;
• HM Courts Service;
• UK Border Agency.

(Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2010)

Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) work independently of, but are accountable to, ministers. They are not staffed by civil servants and there are two main types:

• Executive (e.g. Environment Agency);
• Advisory (e.g. Low Pay Commission).

Regional and devolved government

• The Welsh Assembly Government is the devolved government for Wales, responsible for many issues including health and education. The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body representing the interests of Wales and its people and holding the Welsh government to account.  
• The Scottish Government operates similarly to the UK government with certain legislative and policymaking responsibilities. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland. The Scotland Office represents Scottish interests in matters reserved to the UK Parliament.
• The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland.  Responsibilities include education and environment. The Northern Ireland Office is headed by a UK MP and is responsible for overseeing the devolution settlement and representing interests at UK Government level.

Local government

The collective term for local councils, often referred to as local authorities. Public services provided by local councils range from schools and social services to housing, refuse collection and leisure facilities. Councils can provide services directly or arrange for others to do so, mainly from the voluntary or private sector.

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs are organisations with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of no more than £26million. Working for a smaller company can be rewarding because you are more likely to forge a path for yourself within the company, although opportunities to try other departments may be limited.

SMEs are unlikely to use the testing and assessment techniques of larger companies, or follow lengthy recruitment procedures. SMEs are more likely to advertise their vacancies through the local press, university careers service bulletins, local graduate vacancy listings, jobcentres, and word of mouth, rather than rely on their reputation and a presence at graduate recruitment fairs.

Your university careers service should have listings of jobs with small firms. See also the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Self-employment

Self-employment on a consultant basis is possible, though this is much more common for experienced professionals who possess specialist expertise.

To find out more see self-employment.