Local government is one of the largest graduate employers in the country. Whether employed on specific graduate training schemes or recruited into particular roles, there are many opportunities for graduates to develop a career in local government.

IDeA runs the National Graduate Development Programme (ngdp) for local government, which aims to recruit the senior managers and chief executives of the future. The ngdp offers graduates a two year leadership development programme in a host local council supported by the Graduate Leadership Academy, which includes skills development, mentoring and a postgraduate diploma in local government management.  Find out more at www.ngdp.co.uk

The IDeA also runs the local government talent pool, an online database of graduates who have an enthusiasm to work in local government.  The talent pool offers graduates the chance to showcase their skills and experience to potential local council employers, who can then search the database and contact them about vacancies within their organisations.  To register, go to the talent pool section.

Some councils run their own graduate training programmes. To find out if your local council has a specific programme, you should contact the HR department. Check the meet the employers section to access your nearest local councils.

Councils also recruit graduates into particular jobs in many different occupational areas. For example: environmental health, planning, surveying, legal work, accountancy, IT, personnel, marketing, policy and research, plus many more. Follow this link for more details of current job vacancies in local councils or contact your local council to find out where they advertise their vacancies.