This is an opportunity for local candidates (or those with a local connection) to apply to become a Graduate Management Trainee as part of Cohort 28 of Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme on a fixed-term contract until Autumn 2028 for West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).
Local applications will progress in the same timeframe as Impact’s national recruitment process, and local candidates will be assessed alongside national candidates – with the exception of the final interview stage. By applying as a local candidate, you will be guaranteed an interview with us around April 2026 if you reach the final stage of the recruitment process. Please be aware that local candidates will interview only with their local authority, and interviews are usually held earlier than for those applying nationally.
The role
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a fast-track graduate programme for bright and passionate individuals who want to make a difference while excelling in their career. It offers the chance to work directly with communities, but also to influence policy at a senior level. All while earning a graduate salary and completing a leadership and management qualification.
We are looking for the next generation of leaders who have the passion and skills to navigate the biggest challenges facing communities and the sector. From sustainability, homelessness and unemployment to town centre regeneration, social care, and education, local councils are at the forefront of delivering real change.
As a Graduate Management Trainee on the Impact programme, you will work for two years at West of England Mayoral Combined Authority on a minimum salary of £32,597 (this may increase pending pay negotiations). Over a minimum of three different placements, you will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects in key areas of council life where you can make a real contribution and gain valuable, career-shaping experiences. You will be supported in these roles through mentoring and a fully-funded learning programme, culminating in a qualification from the Chartered Management Institute.
Impact is the only national graduate programme specifically for local government and has a high record of success with many graduates moving into management positions in councils after they complete the scheme. If you want a career leading change in the public sector, this is the programme for you.
About us
Here at the West of England Combined Mayoral Authority, we are a politically led organisation working to deliver on the mayor’s priorities for the region. These include our recently published Growth Plan, which focuses on creating more affordable and sustainable homes, improving transport and digital connectivity, tackling inequalities across communities, and driving forward a net zero future. Our biggest issues are securing enough affordable and sustainable housing, improving transport and digital connectivity, and ensuring that economic growth benefits all communities fairly, and we are looking for four candidates from (or with a close connection to) the local area to help influence on tackling these issues.
Why work for us, here’s a little more about our key areas of work:
Economic Growth & Business Support
Lead efforts to grow priority sectors, attract investment, and strengthen regional trade and innovation.
Transport & Connectivity
Deliver integrated transport solutions that improve accessibility, sustainability, and align with housing and climate goals.
Housing & Sustainable Communities
Accelerate delivery of affordable, low-carbon homes through strategic partnerships and nature-led planning.
Skills & Employment
Shape future-focused skills strategies and support inclusive pathways from education to employment.
Green Growth & Climate Resilience
Drive clean energy innovation and embed climate resilience into regional development plans.
Tackling Poverty & Inclusion
Implement targeted strategies to reduce poverty and promote inclusive access to essential services.
Place-Based Development
Coordinate regeneration and growth across key zones to ensure inclusive and impactful development.
Investment Strategy & Delivery
Design and deliver investment strategies with partners, ensuring measurable impact across programmes.
About you
The Impact programme is passionate about recruiting graduates from all different backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines: our aim is to reflect the diverse communities that councils serve. We are looking for people who have the right values and attitudes and who can demonstrate their motivation for a career in the public sector. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, and additional support is available for under-represented groups during our assessment processes, so all candidates have a fair chance of showing us their full potential.
The requirements
In order to apply for our local position for the chance to be our local Graduate Management Trainee, you must meet the following criteria:
- You will have obtained a minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by summer 2026
- You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the 2-year programme. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas.
For more information on eligibility and right to work requirements please visit our website.
Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their understanding of our key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process. Impact runs one national recruitment process each year and supports councils to run local and internal recruitment campaigns.
You must also:
- Currently live or have lived in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath or Northeast Somerset Council area for at least 2 years; or
- Have studied (at a secondary or further education establishment, including school, college, PRU) in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath or Northeast Somerset Council area; or
- Be a Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath or Northeast Somerset Councils Care leaver; or
- Have been a Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath or Northeast Somerset Councils council employee for more than 1 year.
Please read before applying
As part of the application process, you are required to complete a Situational Judgment Test which is the only assessment you will need to complete at this stage.
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) presents you with 24 realistic scenarios that someone might experience in a role on the programme, along with multiple ways of responding. The SJT will appear after you have completed your application question, and you will need to complete the SJT before you can submit your application.
Instructions for the test:
This test is untimed, but we anticipate that it will take you 30-45 minutes on average to complete. We suggest you complete the test when you have at least an hour to spare to avoid putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. If you want to pause the assessment, you will be able to do so after answering a question, before proceeding to the next question. You can log back in at any time as long as you complete the entire situational judgement test by the application deadline. You will be taken to the assessment page after answering your application questions.
You will need to organise each scenario into the order of response, depending on what you are most appropriate or least appropriate to do for each of the 24 questions. There are detailed instructions within the form.
If you have any questions or require support completing your application or situational judgement test, please do not hesitate to contact impact.support@local.gov.uk before starting your application or test.
For further information please visit Impact website.
Closing date: 12.00pm midday, Tuesday 06 January 2026
Please note: You can only apply for one Impact programme per year.
