National Management Trainee

Real Life. Real Work.

Local government is the largest and most diverse employer in the UK and is responsible for a wide range of services which support people and communities. It offers excellent career opportunities within a socially responsible work environment.
The ngdp provides a unique development opportunity for high calibre graduates wishing to pursue a career with a dynamic, exciting and socially responsible employer. The ngdp provides a rich experience based around placements that will engage you in work that is core to the council’s priorities within their local communities.
We are looking for the future managerial leaders of local government, so we want people who are passionate about making a difference to peoples lives and have the right attitudes and beliefs for a rewarding career in local government.

The Structure of the scheme

Key components are a national induction event starting you on your career journey, a series of generic placements and projects within a host local authority, a learning and development programme with national and locally delivered elements, and support from a dedicated placement co-ordinator, mentors, managers and a national network of ngdp trainees and alumni.
Over the two year programme you’ll participate in a range of work placements and projects across the local authority. These will be based within a strategic or corporate function, a ‘front-line’, customer-facing, service delivery area, and a ‘support’ service such as human resources, finance, information communications technology, legal services etc.
Though your first placement or project will be allocated to you, as your experience and knowledge grows, you will help identify your next placement so that you take personal responsibility for the development of your knowledge and skills.

Development and learning

Over the two years of the programme you will be supported by your employer to take part in a range of training and development opportunities which will contribute to meeting the needs of the local authority, the national programme and the community in which you are placed.

LGA will organise a national programme of learning and development to complement your wider personal and professional development. This programme, combined with placements in local authorities and support from a range of people, is designed to help you grow as a future leader in local government.

The programme of learning and development will develop your skills, understanding and competencies so that you can be effective as change agents and realise your leadership potential.

There will be 5 modules of national learning including an induction module.

The modules will be:
Residential – To maximise networking opportunities
Participative – To maximise sharing of learning and the development of skills and insights
Involve politicians – To facilitate understanding and appreciation of the political realities and their impact.

Benefits

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Unrivalled work/life balance

The package we offer demonstrates that local government is a very serious player in the graduate market. You’ll be employed by your local authority on a two–year fixed–term contract and receive a salary of at least £22,958 (plus London weighting, if applicable) – further benefits will depend on the policy of the individual authority, but will typically include generous holiday entitlement and eligibility to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

You’ll find that local authorities are very flexible employers and supportive of a genuine work/life balance.