Careers In Local Government
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a graduate programme run by the Local Government Association. It was previously called the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP). It matches graduates with councils across the country to develop future local government managers.
If after assessment you're accepted onto the programme, you can expect a competitive, challenging and rewarding two years.
In that time, you'll take on three to four different placements in public interest projects such as social care and housing, or head office functions like finance and HR. In doing this, you'll broaden your understanding and knowledge of government and the public sector, and it could also help you decide which area might be the best fit for you and your career.
The LGA says the programme is ranked in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.
Types Of Local Government Jobs
Councils run a wide range of services, so local government offers many different kinds of work.
Those that want to be at the forefront of progression and change may be interested in project based work or programmes aimed at developing local communities. This could be anything from improving access to social care and working in health and safety, to urban design or planning.
And then in the local government head office there are jobs to be found in HR, finance, legal and strategic planning, to name but a few.
The main thing is to want a role that helps you to use your skills to make your local area a happier, healthier and safer place to be.
What Local Government Looks For In Applicants
Applicants for the Impact graduate programme, formerly the NGDP, should be able to show a passion to make their local area a better place, and how their individual skills will help them to do that.
As well as visible commitment to the cause, you'll also need to show you're a team player, that you're proactive and that you don't shy away from difficult or awkward conversations.
Local Government Application Process
Impact recruits once a year, and the LGA says you can only apply once each year.
There are four stages: an online application with a situational judgement test, a recorded video interview, a half-day virtual assessment centre, and interviews with councils. Applicants to the Finance Stream also take a numeracy test.
Every stage is assessed against the programme's key skills and behaviours, so it is worth reading them before you apply.
Impact Programme Assessment Stages
Local Government Situational Judgement Test
The first stage includes a situational judgement test designed for the programme. You read short local government scenarios, each with three possible responses, and choose the most and least appropriate. There are 24 scenarios, and each of the programme's key skills and behaviours is measured three times. The test is not timed, most people take 30 to 45 minutes, and you can pause between questions as long as you finish before the application deadline. The LGA publishes sample questions. Finance Stream applicants also take a numeracy test.
Local Government Video Interviews
If you pass the situational judgement test, you'll be invited to a video interview. You answer three questions, one at a time, and can re-record each answer once. Answers are timed and are marked from the audio only.
Each answer is assessed against the programme's key skills and behaviours, so read them before you start and use examples that show them. You do not need experience of local government to give good examples.
Local Government Assessment Centre
If you pass the video interview, you'll be invited to a half-day virtual assessment centre.
You complete three tasks: a written task, a group discussion and a presentation, all based on local government work. Across the tasks you are assessed against the programme's key skills and behaviours.
After the assessment centre, successful candidates choose which councils they would like to work for and attend at least one council interview. Offers of employment come from the council.
Tips To Get Hired In Local Government
Research The Organisation
Doing your research is really important and will help you at every stage of the application process.
As well as the Impact programme, it's a good idea to read up on local council initiatives, any topical information you can find on current projects or plans, and familiarise yourself with the terminology used across roles in local government.
Take Time To Work On Your Application
It's the foundation of the whole process and the first impression a potential employer will get of you, so it's really important to spend time on your online application.
As well as ensuring it gives a detailed yet concise look over your education, working history and achievements, it's important to make sure your spelling and grammar are impeccable, and that you've clearly shown the key skills and behaviours the programme assesses.
Practise For The Assessments
The LGA recommends reviewing the key skills and behaviours and working through its sample situational judgement test questions. General aptitude test practice may also help if you apply to the Finance Stream, which includes a numeracy test.
When you practise, work without distractions and without looking up answers, then go back over your answers at the end. This is your opportunity to find out which areas you might be struggling with, so you can work on improving them before the test that really counts.
Understand Pay And Grading Within Councils
This is important as it sets up your expectations for the process.
Each council role has its own pay grade, shown in the job advert. Graduates hired through Impact's national campaign are paid at least a minimum salary published by the LGA, which may be higher in some areas.
It's important to feel comfortable with this before applying, in order not to waste anyone's time (including your own).
