The LGA’s flagship recruitment programme brings together talented graduates and councils
Currently recruiting for its 25th cohort, the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) has brought more than 2,000 graduates into local government over a period of two decades.
It is the only national graduate scheme specifically for local government, offering councils the opportunity to recruit highly motivated and capable candidates to work on important projects over a two-year period.
It also allows participating organisations to effectively nurture talented staff and develop a pipeline of future leaders internally, and for the wider sector.
Every year, between 4-5,000 graduates from across the UK apply to the NGDP to fast-track their career in local government.
The NGDP attracts passionate, committed graduates who aspire to becoming senior leaders of the sector.
Applications for the 2023 intake closed in early January and we received almost 4,700 applications, demonstrating the huge demand from graduates.
The LGA manages a national marketing campaign and runs a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process, ensuring only the highest-calibre candidates are selected for interview and ultimately appointed.
“The NGDP scheme has been hugely successful for us, producing a rich supply of talented people every year who make a tangible and positive contribution to the work that we do, with many of them securing permanent roles either with us or our partners in the area. The calibre of applicants is impressive, and the scheme forms a key part of the approach to developing our leaders of the future”
Janet Atkin, Assistant Director of HR, Cambridgeshire County Council
The NGDP attracts and recruits graduates from all regions of the country, from a range of backgrounds, and having studied a variety of subjects from many different universities.
The most recently recruited cohort began their local government careers in the autumn of 2022, when 212 graduate trainees were placed across 75 councils – our highest number of partner councils yet.
This is also the largest and most diverse cohort to date, with 28 per cent of trainees being from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, 11 per cent declaring a disability, and at least 21 per cent identifying as LGBTQIA+.
In relation to socioeconomic background, 45 per cent of graduate trainees’ parents were not university-educated, and 16 per cent of trainees were eligible for free school meals.
Graduate interest in the NGDP is increasing and the programme is expected to continue to grow.
However, to ensure that we can meet the demand from graduates – and continue to increase diversity to further reflect the communities that councils serve – we need to increase the number of places offered by getting more partner organisations on board. Councils are able to take on as few or as many graduates as they can, and we encourage them to tap into the NGDP as a key organisational development resource – and see first-hand the value it can bring.
What you need to know
It is quick and easy for councils to sign up for the NGDP via our website. This year’s deadline is 31 March.
The LGA manages the whole recruitment process, so all councils need to do once they sign up is hold interviews with candidates who have successfully passed all recruitment stages, and decide who they want to employ.
We also provide support for councils on the programme and hold regular meetings to share best practice and guidance.
The NGDP is subsidised by central government funding and provides a unique and cost-effective solution to help combat the capacity crisis the sector is facing.
If you would like to find out how the NGDP could help your council to build capacity and develop future leaders, please email [email protected].
