VI|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTThe Daily TelegraphAOf those trained, 90 per cent are still in the public sectorAfter a rigorous recruitment process, successful graduates complete four six-month placements in departments within their host authority, alongside further study. “The study component is a bespoke post-graduate diploma in local government accredited by the University of Warwick,” Craig explains. “Six times a year the graduates go to Warwick for three days of intensive study covering key areas such as policy and finance.” Around 130 local authorities belong to the programme, regularly supporting one or more graduates and often taking them on permanently. “Just over 400 have been through the programme since it began and 90 per cent are still working in the public sector — many with the same authority they trained with,” says Craig. Visit www.ngdp.co.uk‘‘‘‘lmost three million people are employed in more than 600 roles by local government, from transport and children’s services to planning and culture. The National Graduate Development Programme, or ngdp, is the fasttrack route to senior posts for successful graduates. “The programme launched in 2001 to create a new cadre of general managers in the sector,” says Malcolm Craig, programme manager. “Although a number of local authorities ran their own effective schemes, there was a need for a national initiative that would offer a competitive training and work package to attract the best graduates.” The popular two-year programme, run by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), recruits around 80 graduates a year. “We receive around 2,000 applications for the 80 places but this year the numbers were even higher, meaning local authorities increasingly get the pick of the crop,” says Craig.CASE STUDY 2: AMY SMITH, 26, COMPLETED HER NGDP IN 2008 AT WAKEFIELD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. SHE IS ABOUT TO START A NEW ROLE IMPROVING COMMUNITY COHESION ACROSS WEST YORKSHIRE. “After a degree in politics and social policy, I knew I wanted to work in local government. The ngdp option of moving around the council in short placements really appealed. I started in October 2006 with Wakefield council and was offered a fulltime position in September last year. “The course gives you breadth of experience and each placement is like starting a new job — you can’t get bored! My full-time role since completing the ngdp has been in the partnerships team, co-ordinating bidding processes for the council to secure external funding for projects. It is an important stepping stone to the position I’ll start this month — working withCASE STUDY 1: DONNA PENTELOW, 28, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST GRADUATES TO COMPLETE THE NGDP IN 2004. SHE IS NOW HEAD OF ARTS, EVENTS AND REGISTRATION FOR THE LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM. “After university I applied for a couple of local authority positions before finding the ngdp online,” she says. “I knew I wanted to work in the public sector and make a difference — something I still stand by today. “I started my placement with Buckinghamshire County Council. As a newcomer to the county it was a challenge to build-up my local knowledge while getting up to speed on the workings of each department. “A favourite placement was with Trading Standards. I had no idea the department had such an extensive remit, from raising awareness of bogus doorstep sellers to providing the winter service of safetytesting electric blankets for elderly residents. “In May 2007 I moved to Hammersmith and Fulham council on a year-long secondment in the Parks and Culture Directorate. By November I was Acting Head of Arts, Events and Registration and, in September last year, I applied for the job on a permanent basis. “It is a credit to the ngdp that I’ve achieved so much early on in my career. There’s absolutely no way I would be here, aged 28, and a head of service without it.”the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership. “I’ll be working at a strategic level to improve community cohesion across West Yorkshire. It’s about forging links between different community groups a nd local authorities in the region so they can share new ideas, particularly in the challenging area of preventing violent extremism. “It’s not something I’ve directly tackled before but the greatest strength of the ngdp is the way it helps you develop a ‘tool kit’ of transferable skills that you can put to use across a wide range of projects.”CASE STUDY 3: DAN JACKSON, 29, JOINED SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL WITH THE NGDP IN 2007. HE HAS SINCE TAKEN A PERMANENT POSITION THERE AS POLICY, PERFORMANCE AND COMMISSIONING MANAGER IN THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S DIRECTORATE. “I have degrees in History and a PhD, but gradually I realised I wanted a hands-on job where I could make a difference. “Having studied political history and public affairs, the ngdp seemed perfect, combining work in local government with academic study at Warwick Business School. “I joined South Tyneside Council in October 2007, starting in the Chief Executive’s Office, where I was thrown straight into a major project, leading the council’s preparations for their fouryearly corporate assessment where auditors inspect all aspects of the council. It was daunting but it gave me a good grounding as I worked with people in every department. “A permanent post came up as a policy manager for children’s services before I completed the ngdp, but South Tyneside supported me as I completed the diploma part of the course. “As a policy manager, a lot of what I do is about striking the balance between national priorities in central government and local needs. I’m often out and about meeting with all those involved in children’s welfare, from health professionals to teachers. My role is to bring different experts together to identify best practice and make change happen.”FAST TRACK TO A TOP JOB ESME MCAVOY EXPLAINS THE SYSTEM THAT HELPS LOCAL COUNCILS RECRUIT THE PICK OF THE GRADUATE CROP AND PREPARE THEM FOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS THROUGH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE AND STUDY The Daily Telegraph is continuing to support British Business in 2009 with bespoke Careers supplements dedicated to showcasing the best opportunities in Engineering, Defence, Construction, Oil Gas, Renewable Energy and other key sectors. To request a full list of our 2009 supplements e-mail: catherine.mcinerney@ telegraph.co.uk and type ‘2009 supplement list’ in the subject field. To advertise in one of these supplements please call the recruitment team on020 7931 3001.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHGREATER REWARDS FOR HELPING OTHERS page 2At your serviceVocation, vocation, vocation WORKING AT THE SHARP END OF THE COMMUNITY page 5BBC IS THE STUDENTS’ FAVOURITE page 8Screen testMILES DONOVANThe Public Sector Thursday, February 19, 2009CAREERS INTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009The D
II|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVERVIEW GETTYThe Daily TelegraphTGOING PUBLIC THEA JOURDAN SAYS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING OFFERED MORE DYNAMIC CAREER OPPORTUNITIESestimates calculated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| IIIThe Daily TelegraphTRANSFERRING SKILLS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORCROSSING THEDIVIDE SKILLS DEVELOPED IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE ARE IN DEMAND AMONG PUBLIC SERVICES. BY JO CLARKE “I am a psychology graduate specialising in applied psychology, which took
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| VThe Daily TelegraphVOCATIONS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR MILES DONOVAN; WELLCOME TRUST; RCNNURSING’SWEARING THE UNIFORM WITH PRIDENEW he modern nurse would perhaps be barely recognisable to Florence Nightingale — with the profession taking over more
IV|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHDirector of Policy London SE1 Full time Salary – £55,000 to £70,000 (more for an exceptional candidate) Do you share our dedication to supporting the 11 million children young people in England and improving the world in which they live? 11 MILLION l
VI|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTThe Daily TelegraphAOf those trained, 90 per cent are still in the public sectorAfter a rigorous recruitment process, successful graduates complete four six-month placements in departments within their host
THE DAILY TELEGRAPHTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009| VIIThe Daily TelegraphTHE NHS CAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTORA DAY IN THE LIFE DR JENNY STEPHENSON IS A GP PRINCIPAL, GP TRAINER AND PRIMARY CARE TRUST DIABETES LEAD WITH SHEFFIELD PCT. HER PRACTICE OVERSEES 10,300 PATIENTS.SEARCHINGFOR NEW BLOOD DANIEL M
VIII|THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009THE DAILY TELEGRAPHCAREERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR MEDIA BBC PICTURESThe Daily TelegraphSARAH MONTAGUE, PRESENTER ON THE TODAY PROGRAMME, ARRIVED AT THE BBC VIA AN UNCONVENTIONAL ROUTE DID YOU START AS A GRADUATE TRAINEE AT THE BBC? No, after studying Biology at Bristol
