Former police officer David Meller has discovered a new lease of life since bringing his talents and experience to the Civil Service. It’s a career change made all the more satisfying due to the Civil Service Induction which helped him quickly settle into the organisation as he embarks on his new role as a theory test national operations and product owner with the DVSA in Swansea.
He believes The Civil Service Induction is invaluable in helping newcomers fully understand what is expected in terms of professionalism and behaviour.
Civil Service code aligns with my values
“I found it incredibly useful that the course was quickly available to access and is pitched at the perfect level it sets the right tone and is easily understandable for every person,” he said.
“There was nothing too complicated or oppressive about it. It was basically ‘This is what we expect of you,’ and that’s just great. It laid out standards which we all adhere to.
“Reading it made sense, there was nothing daunting or out of reach, and it aligned with my values and what I would expect from the Civil Service Induction.”
Pitched at just the right level
The initial induction process gives newcomers an insight into the wider Civil Service, providing support, guidance and signposting the many opportunities within the organisation – and all in an interactive, virtual format set over three weeks. It covers the basics of working in government, including the benefits and obligations of being a civil servant, working with ministers and Parliament and understanding devolution.
“The pace of it, the duration of it was all spot on and I’m really grateful,” he said.
“You can work at your own pace – everyone has a different learning speed. There is a lot of information to take in but I think it was the right format and you are given the time to complete it. Also, you are doing it at the right time – if it had been offered much later, I’d be asking myself ‘why am I having it so late’ and if I’d had it offered on day one it might have been a little bit overbearing.
“Having it within the first month made perfect sense.”
No fear of jargon and acronyms
“Some of it was very handy – like the introduction to common acronyms and jargon,” he said. “When you have so many acronyms some people could be a little daunted by it. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the difference.”
Ownership and pride
The 47-year-old is delighted by his career switch. He explained “I’d spent 20-odd years in the police force and I wanted a different job. So I thought, ‘Great, private sector’. I worked in a factory for 18 months but it was a completely different culture to what I’m used to.
“I found I was missing a few things, like a sense of ownership and pride – I genuinely missed that. When this role came up it really appealed to me, particularly because of my background in the police force. I have landed on my feet with a great team, learning lots. It’s great.
“The team that I have come on to are nothing short of brilliant. The word ‘supportive’ doesn’t do them justice. I have come into a role where what I do matters, contributes to our communities and where staff welfare matters.”
