Local Recruitment for the National Graduate Development Programme – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Opportunity for local candidates to apply to become a National Management Trainee as part of Cohort 26 of the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) on a fixed-term contract until Autumn 2026 for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
The role
Tackle youth unemployment. Fight social isolation. Improve social housing.
The national graduate development programme for local government is recruiting over 250 talented National Management Trainees for its Autumn 2024 intake. Successful applicants will have two years to influence some of society’s big issues, from social care and housing to education and the environment, while training to be one of local government’s next generation of managers. It is the only national graduate programme specifically for local government.
Here at Rotherham, our main priorities as an organisation are focused within five themes detailed within our Council Plan:
- Every neighbourhood thriving
- People are safe, healthy and live well
- Every child able to fulfil their potential
- Expanding economic opportunity
- A cleaner, greener local environment
We are looking to recruit two candidates locally to help us work towards achieving our priorities.
Rotherham have been involved with the NGDP for over six years and have a great record of retaining our graduates in permanent roles following their participation in the scheme with us. Due to this, we have a great network of previous NGDP buddies who are very happy to provide support to newer cohorts.
Employed on a fixed-term contract, trainees will rotate between different placements to develop their skills and knowledge alongside studying for a postgraduate-level qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This is a varied and prestigious programme which has a high record of success developing graduates into local government managers and leaders.
Your local application will progress in the same timeframe as the NGDP’s national campaign, and you will be assessed alongside national candidates. The NGDP facilitates the assessment of all nominated local candidates in line with national candidates to ensure they meet the same standard.
By applying as a local candidate for our local authority, successful applicants who reach the final stage of the recruitment process will be guaranteed an interview with us during (or after) April 2024. Please be aware that local candidates will be exclusively interviewed by their chosen council, and interviews are usually held earlier than those held nationally.
The requirements
In order to apply for our local position for the chance to be our local National Management Trainee, you must meet the following criteria:
- You will have obtained a 2.2 undergraduate degree in any subject by summer 2024
- You have the right to work in the UK without employer sponsorship
(Successful applicants will be required to provide documentary evidence of their entitlement to work in the UK from the start of the programme for the full duration. The NGDP is unable to sponsor a visa for candidates who do not have the right to work in the UK)
You must also:
- Have lived in South Yorkshire (Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley or Doncaster) for at least two years; or
- Have studied (at a secondary or further education establishment, including school, college, PRU) in South Yorkshire; or
- Be a South Yorkshire Care leaver; or
- Have been a Rotherham council employee for more than one year
About you
We support the NGDP’s goal to recruit graduates from all different backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines; our aim is to reflect the diverse communities that we 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, and who are genuinely interested in our area.
Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their understanding of the NGDP’s key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process. Local candidates participate in the same process as national candidates but have the advantage of a guaranteed interview with their desired participating authority.
Applications will be assessed on the NGDP key skills and behaviours:
- Working with others
- Persuasive communication
- Planning and organisation
- Drive for results
- Analysis and problem solving
- Motivation for learning and personal resilience
- Commitment to local government and the wider community
- Leadership potential
Additional information
Candidates can apply only once each year to the NGDP and candidates that choose to apply for a local role cannot apply to the national scheme alongside the local application.
Should you choose to apply to this role please note that your application will be held by the Local Government Association (LGA) who host the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP). As the employer, we will have access to view essential details that allow us to shortlist against our criteria for local candidates.
For further information please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/national-graduate-development-programme or contact the NGDP support team at ngdp.support@local.gov.uk.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
