Local government careers

1. Local government careers Welcome to the local government careers presentation. This is an introductory slide and can be deleted before using the presentation. This document contains guidelines only and can be amended as required by individual councils to fit their own needs. It is intended to help council staff and teachers when giving local government careers presentations to young people. The following 19 example slides provide a general overview of local government careers and give information from a national perspective. Where indicated in italics in the presentation slides or suggested in the notes pages, more relevant local information can be substituted or added. It may not be necessary to use all the slides in one presentation – it will depend on the target audience as to which slides are selected for use on any one occasion.

2. Local government talent: careers www.LGtalent.com Insert council web address here Insert council logo here

3. Local government is a collective name for local councils/authorities e.g. Surrey County Council, Birmingham City Council etc. Councils provide services to the public – what council services can you think of? What is local government? Insert council name and logo here

4. What services does the council provide? • Schools • Leisure centres • Libraries • Collection of household rubbish • Environmental health officers to ensure good hygiene standards in shops and restaurants

5. What services does the council provide? • Nurseries • Care for elderly people • Housing • Pollution control • Building control officers to ensure that buildings are safe and energy efficient • Plus many more…

6. There are 468 local councils in the UK There are 8 types of council: county, district, metropolitan, London borough, English, Welsh & Scottish unitary, Northern Irish district There are 11 000 town, parish & community councils Councils spend over £70 billion per year There are 21 000 democratically elected councillors There are over 2 million employees Did you know…?

7. Why work for local government? • Making a difference – helping people • Salary scales with annual increases • Training and development • Diverse range of jobs and people • Flexible working conditions • Generous annual leave • Local Government Pension Scheme • Other benefits e.g. price reductions on public transport/gym facilities

8. Accountant Engineer Housing Assistant IT Technician Marketing Officer Office Assistant Planner Social Worker Sports Development Officer Teacher and many more…. What kind of jobs are there? Around 600 different kinds of job including:

9. What skills are council employers looking for? Particular skills may be required for certain jobs, but councils may also look for: • Good communication skills • Commitment, enthusiasm & flexibility • Some knowledge of local government • Willingness to provide public service • Sensitivity to diversity issues • Research skills • Organisational skills • Creativity & innovative thinking

10. What opportunities are there? • For school/college leavers? • Apprenticeships • Other youth trainee schemes • Clerical/assistant roles • For graduates? • Professional routes e.g. Environmental Health, Accountancy, Solicitors etc. • Project work/technicians/administrators etc. • Individual graduate trainee schemes • national graduate development programme (ngdp)

11. national graduatedevelopment programme (ngdp) • Aim: To recruit graduates with the potential to become senior managers in local government within 10-15 years • 50-100 ngdp National Management Trainees recruited every year

12. ngdp content • Duration: 2 years • Several core placements in host authority in 3 key areas: strategy, front-line service and support service • Membership of Graduate Leadership Academy • Induction • Postgraduate diploma in local government management • Skills development • Mentoring

13. ngdp entry requirements • Achieved or predicted 2:1 in any subject • Ability to demonstrate following skills: • working with others • drive for results • analysis • persuasive communication • planning and organisation • motivation for learning • interest in the local government sector

14. ngdp further details • Salary: £21,588 per annum (+ London weighting where appropriate) • Benefits: In line with individual authority policy, but will include pension, generous holiday entitlement and flexible working arrangements • Selection process: online application form, first round telephone interview, assessment centre, & local authority interview

15. ngdp further details continued • Apply via www.ngdp.co.uk • If successful, placements begin in autumn • If unsuccessful at interview or assessment centre: opportunity to register on a secure website – the Local Government Talent Pool – where authorities can see your details and invite you to apply for other positions

16. Where are jobs advertised? • www.LGtalent.com • Local newspapers & national newspapers • Job bulletins from local councils – available from public buildings e.g. library, town hall etc. • Local council websites • Local government press e.g. LGC, MJ, Opportunities • Professional bodies/journals • Recruitment agencies & other recruitment websites

17. Where to find more local government information • www.LGtalent.com - local government careers information • www.idea.gov.uk - Improvement & Development Agency • www.lga.gov.uk - Local Government Association • www.localdemocracy.org - Local Democracy Campaign • www.lge.gov.uk - Local Government Employers • www.local.gov.uk - local authorities’ gateway

18. Where to find information continued • www.lgiu.gov.uk - Local Government Information Unit • www.lgcnet.com - Local Government Chronicle • http://society.guardian.co.uk/localgovt/ - The Guardian • www.communities.gov.uk - Department for Communities and Local Government • www.info4local.gov.uk - Information from central Government for local government

19. Other useful websites • www.apprenticeships.org.uk - Apprenticeship information • www.nya.org.uk - National Youth Agency • www.connexions.gov.uk - Connexions Service - information and advice • www.connexionscard.com - Connexions Card information