National Management Trainee (National Graduate Development Programme)
Are you looking to fast track your management career in Local Government?
We are looking for the next generation of managers to lead critical projects and services that have tangible, everyday outcomes for people's lives and shape our future.
This is a 2 year fixed term contract starting in September 2023.
The national graduate development programme for local government (NGDP) is recruiting over 120 talented National Management Trainees for its Autumn 2023 intake. Successful applicants will have two years to influence some of society’s big issues, from health and wellbeing and housing to climate change, while training to be one of local government’s next generation of managers. It is the only national graduate programme specifically for local government.
What is the NGDP?
Employed on a two year fixed-term contract, trainees rotate between different placements to develop their skills and knowledge alongside studying for a postgraduate-level certificate from the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM). This is a varied and prestigious programme which has a high record of success placing graduates in positions of management in local government upon completion of the scheme.
The role
The environment and housing are just a fraction of the services that Woking Borough Council is constantly working to improve. Our key business areas include:
- Housing (social and private sector housing and homelessness and associated strategies)
- Planning (Development, Planning Policy and Building Control)
- Leisure and Cultural
- Legal
- Health, Wellbeing and People
- Green Infrastructure
Do you have what it takes?
We are looking for people who have the right skills, values and attitudes and can demonstrate their motivation for a career in the Local Government. These are:
- Working with others
- Persuasive communication
- Planning and organisation
- Drive for results
- Analysis and problem solving
- Motivation for learning and personal resilience
- Commitment to local government and the wider community
- Leadership potential
Learning and Development
Trainees will work towards an accredited ILM Level 7 Leadership and Management qualification and benefit from being part of a national peer group, joining an established knowledge sharing network. Please click here for further information.
Eligibility
To apply, you will need to have achieved a 2.2 undergraduate degree by summer 2023 and be eligible to work and remain in the UK.
To apply directly to Woking Borough Council as a local candidate, you must meet at least one of these criteria:
- went to school in, and/or still have close family/carers living in the borough (school must have been attended for four plus years in that borough).
- have lived or worked in the borough for four plus years NOT for the purpose of university.
- have lived in the borough for four plus years AFTER attending university.
About You
We support the NGDP’s goal to recruit graduates from all different backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines; our aim is to reflect the diverse community that we serve. We are looking for people who have the right values and attitudes and who can demonstrate their motivation for a career in the public sector, and who is genuinely interested in the borough.
Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their understanding of the NGDP’s key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process. Local candidates participate in the same process as national candidates but have the advantage of a guaranteed interview with their desired authority.
Candidates can apply only once each year to the NGDP. There is only one application process for the local and National scheme. You will have the option to be considered solely for the local scheme (ie. Woking Borough Council) if you so wish.
To view the National Graduate Development Programme website, please click here.
Your application will link in with the assessment stage of the national process; of which you can view full details here.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a link from the NGDP with instructions to complete for online assessments measuring verbal, numeracy and logic reasoning skills and your understanding of the key behaviours. This is designed to be a fun and interactive way to assess your match with the scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
If you require further information or would like to speak to someone about the application process, please contact the NGDP support team direct at ngdp.support@local.gov.uk .
Please read before applying
Should you choose to apply to this role please note that your application will be held by the Local Government Association (LGA) who host the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP). As the employer, we will have access to view essential details that allow us to shortlist against our criteria for local candidates. You can find more information regarding the LGA’s privacy statement on the application page.
Your local application will progress in the same timeframe as the NGDP’s national campaign and you will be assessed alongside national candidates. The NGDP facilitates the assessment of all nominated local candidates in line with national candidates to ensure they meet the same standard. Successful candidates will become part of the national cohort with access to NGDP learning and development, networks and knowledge events, but will be exclusively interviewed by their chosen council as a successful local candidate.