CGC Oakgrove 4.0

Local Government

Sector Outlook Working in local government can offer you a wide variety of career possibilities in areas such as building control, social work, education, finance and environmental health. In recent years the sector has been under significant pressure as the Government has sor t to reduce the national debt by cutting funding to council budgets. One in 10 councils had a recruitment freeze in the last year. Currently there are 200,000 people employed in Scotland, 137,000 Wales and 1.4 million in England, although 54% of those are par t time. According to LGjobs.com, the official government job site adver tising council vacancies, there are over 300 jobs in social and care work, 200 in education, 60 planning and 1 retained fire officer role. A dispropor tionate number of women work in local government usually in the soft skill areas of care and education with more men working in building control and trading standards. The industry also has a number of par t time oppor tunities and would suit anyone needing a second income or flexible work arrangements. For administrative oppor tunities, local government employers look for individuals with organisational ability, attention to detail, accuracy and good customer service skills. For accounting roles a mathematical ability is required. Some jobs will require you to have achieved a relevant degree in disciplines such as town planning, conservation, teaching or social work. For school leavers, apprenticeship opportunities do exist for those who are keen to enter the workforce. One recent survey calculates that councils have an average of 11 apprentices, 10 work experience students and 1 graduate placement. The local government association runs the National Graduate Development Programme; a good start for those wanting to begin a manangement role after university. As well as using websites such as the Local Government Association (www.jobtrain.co.uk) and the Guardian newspaper; keep in mind that most local authorities also host their own vacancies so its worth checking out their website or following them on social media sites. There are currently 800 entry level jobs advertised on linkedin.