As an LGA graduate you will “be homed” within the Corporate Policy and Strategy Unit. Our team works strategically across all the council’s directorates. We focus on understanding key national, regional & local policy influences and set frameworks for the council’s approach to developing strategy. Being part of our team will give you exposure to areas of interest across all the council’s remit and a provide you with a good grounding in the key political, financial and external issues that impact on a Local Authority every day.
After an initial induction period with Corporate Policy & Strategy, you will spend the remainder of your two years on placements moving between services and projects, lasting for between 4 & 6 months each. Your placements will be across all four directorates to give an opportunity to learn about the breadth of service areas within a county council. These projects will be key to the future of Warwickshire and its residents so a chance for you to make a real difference and help us to deliver our new Council Plan.
The CMI Leadership course (Level 7) fully-funded by the LGA is integral to your time as a graduate with us. We’re fully supportive of your need to work on this throughout your time here. We’ve familiarised ourselves with the syllabus and key outcomes and have structured your time here to help you build an evidence base you can use to support your CMI with some real-life working examples.
We will be there to support you all the way. You will have regular team meetings, 121’s with your line manager, a buddy and assigned a mentor who will be an Executive Director from our Corporate Board.
What qualifications will I need?
We welcome graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study. Our only requirements are that you have a minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by July 2023 and that you have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visas.
How often you usually recruit?
We recruit to the scheme annually, up to a maximum of 3 posts. The recruitment is run by the LGA, with the local authority being involved at assessment centre and interview stage.
The process starts Autumn each year. More information on the scheme can be found in the Local Government Association Scheme (LGA) website.
Other information
You will be paid a minimum salary of (£30,296 as a minimum – this may be subject to increase pending pay negotiations).
Whilst we do not offer a job guarantee, we will work with you and across the organisation, to identify appropriate next -step roles. We hope you would love to stay on at WCC, but we will explore with you what opportunities we and other councils have. We’ve already successfully helped our current graduates move onto permanent roles with us.
Case studies