Local Government
Local government provides community support, to enable people to have a better quality of life in a pleasant environment, wherever you are in the country...
Working for local government gives you the opportunity to work for and with local people making a difference where you live. In fact, many employees say that the thing they love most about working in local government is the opportunity to contribute positively to their local community.
There are around 600 occupational areas in local government. A large part of the work involves providing services directly to the public such as environmental health, planning, and social work. Other roles have a more strategic focus and help to shape the future of services, these include research work, policy development, and liaison with elected council members. There is also a range of important corporate support functions, which keep councils running smoothly, such as finance, human resources, marketing and communications, and ICT.
In addition to the huge variety of work and the opportunity to make a real difference, local government provides a range of benefits to keep its employees motivated and engaged. These include flexible working, generous annual leave, a pension scheme, opportunities to undertake voluntary work and career breaks, reduced price public transport, leisure facilities, creche facilities, employee networking groups, and occupational health. There are also other programmes on offer, such as yoga, reflexology and support to give up smoking.
Local councils also have a good reputation for their excellent training and development opportunities. These might include on-the-job and in-house training courses, management and leadership development programmes, or day release to attend college and gain vocational or professional qualifications.
Graduate opportunities
Some councils run graduate training programmes in particular occupational areas, others run general management programmes providing experience across a range of service areas.
The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) runs the national graduate development programme (NGDP) for local government, which recruits talented graduates with the potential to become senior managers in the future.
The NGDP offers two years working on a variety of projects in a host council supported by the Graduate Leadership Academy, which includes skills development, mentoring and a post-graduate diploma in local government management.
The IDeA also provides the LGjobs.com website, where you can search local government vacancies, sign up for jobs by email and make applications.
Insider views…
"My degree in Sociology and Social Policy made me aware of the complexity of local government, and how I could use my skills to benefit those less fortunate than me. When you’re spending citizens’ money, it’s ultraimportant to do so effectively. People expect better services but without huge rises in taxes – it’s a great challenge to take on. Having seen the kind of roles open to graduates on the NGDP, I wanted the same exposure."
Michael, NGDP national management trainee
"It’s difficult to describe a ‘typical’ day, but my key role is working within a small team to ensure that the interests of residents are addressed at regional and district level. This involves responding to new planning policies and liaising with the district councils and the public. I like the variety of the job and I’m constantly learning and facing new challenges."
Laura, Planner, County Council employee
For more information go to:
www.LGcareers.com
www.ngdp.co.uk
Universities
