Siju's interest in the digital transformation of government services was the main reason he joined the Digital and Technology (DaT) Fast Stream.
Based in the office for the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the Department for Work and Pensions, he told us about his experiences on the scheme.
"The CTO team plays a central role in designing IT solutions that meet the user needs of both the public and the people that serve them directly. We also work on strategies for the technology, and research new tools to see if we can use them.
As a Fast Streamer I have taken part in a variety of projects, which have all helped me develop my skills and experience, for example:
I researched money saving opportunities, and managed the early stages of implementing my recommendations.
I also led aspects of a project by providing technical guidance to improve an already live service making over 200,000 payments each year. Leading this wasn't about me having all the answers (I didn’t), it was about gathering and using the information. To do this I had to:
- talk to customer advisers to understand how the service ran
- consult with experts and a range of stakeholders
- use the information I had gathered to make decisions in the best interest of users and taxpayers
It taught me the value of standing firm on key principles, while remaining open to alternatives that could produce a better result.
In fact working in the CTO team provided completely different challenges to what I expected.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned was that people are more important than technology. Whatever you're doing, building something new or changing the way people do things needs, you need to be able to work with others to achieve results.
Often there will be people with different interests, but to be successful you need to keep an open mind and remain focussed on the point of the project.
Outside of my day job, the scheme has a strong support network and encourages us to share our skills and experience with others.
For example, the more experienced coders amongst us at DWP run a Digital Development Club to help others.
I've also been a mentor at a national coding event, and there are opportunities to meet the wider technology community, such as Open Data Manchester.
In the coming year I will join an exemplar digital transformation project in an entirely new role for me.
This variety is one of the best elements of the scheme. So far, each role has let me tap into my existing skills set, but also develop new competencies. Two years in, there’s still plenty still to learn giving me a much better idea what path I want to follow beyond the scheme.
The scheme isn't just for coders, it offers a wide variety of roles in the technology world. What unites the roles and Fast Streamers is a real interest in how we can use technology to improve public services. Not only does this scheme help develop your skills, it gives you an opportunity to help shape government services for many years to come.
3 comments
Comment by Mac McDonald posted on
A well articulated article. Well done, Siju; and thanks for your contributions to the success of the Civil Service Fast Stream.
Comment by Kenneth O. Olusegun posted on
That's great bro Siju. More power to your elbow. Wish you more accomplishment in your pursuit.
Comment by Alhaja Laide Benson-Onashokun posted on
Congrats Sijuwade!!!
Congrats to the Department of Works and Pensions (UK)
Congrats to the UK Government.
I wish you more successes in all your future endeavours.