Calderdale MBC

National Graduate Development Programme - 5 National Management Trainees

This year, we took part in the LGA's flagship National Graduate Development Programme. We’ve recruited five new graduates through this scheme. This was a brave step in the current economic climate for any council but we believe the recruitment of these five talented individuals will be a huge asset.Our graduates have consistently demonstrated outstanding qualities in the short period that they have been with Calderdale Council. This was a big step for them in their careers, having to transition from education to working in such a varied local government organisation. They have already proven to be invaluable additions to the teams they have been assigned to, bringing energy, innovation, and a commitment to the Council delivery.

Cambridgeshire CC

Attracting and growing our own

Cambridgeshire County Council is a great place to work, where colleagues’ achievements are celebrated through initiatives like the Spotlight Awards and the #WeAreCambs campaign. It prioritises employee wellbeing, offering resources like an Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support. Regular Cambridgeshire Conversations and Friday Focus updates keep colleagues informed and engaged. The council invests in learning opportunities, including eLearning, coaching, and apprenticeships, and new colleagues are welcomed and supported to develop and grow.The council actively promotes EDI through awareness sessions, blogs, and engagement with the Staff EDI Network (IDEAL). 

Dorset Council

Redefining recruitment at Dorset Council: towards a digital and inclusive future

Dorset Council has embraced a transformative recruitment approach, integrating advanced digital marketing strategies and comprehensive internal education to enhance recruitment efficiency and candidate engagement. Our digital shift includes precision targeting and measurable analytics, enabling strategic and effective campaign adjustments. A significant focus on educating hiring managers in digital recruitment marketing improves job advert quality and social media engagement. These initiatives, coupled with the implementation of an advanced Applicant Tracking System and a proactive Early Careers strategy, position Dorset Council as a forward-thinking employer, ready to attract top talent while maintaining efficiency and fostering inclusivity in our recruitment processes. Watch our social media showcase here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu5HYh41yZw

Durham CC

 ‘Grow our Own’ Apprenticeship Programme

The Apprenticeship Programme at Durham County Council is an integral part of our Workforce Strategy that helps us to ensure we have a skilled and motivated workforce now and in the future.As a council we feel our offer as an employer is strong and meets the priorities of a younger workforce; who typically place a high value on meaningful work, prioritise growth and development, champion diversity, embrace flexible working, and seek authentic and transparent communication. But we realised we needed to promote this better to reach younger talent and improve the support that we wrap around the programme.We have therefore modernised our approach and undertaken research to understand what is important to a younger generation of workforce and modified our benefits and employment offer accordingly.

Knowsley MBC

Social Worker Recruitment Initiative

Knowsley Council improved social worker recruitment outcomes through collaboration across HR, communications and social care. The approach included interventions from attraction to recruitment and onboarding. Using targeted and engaging social media campaigns, a new instant booking system for interviews and new branding, the council attracted increased interest and applicants for roles. Changes were made to the candidate journey so that it is consistent with Knowsley’s brand and provides a good candidate experience, helping to keep candidates engaged during recruitment and onboarding. This project increased the profile of the council as an employer of choice and secured 27 new social workers

North East Regional Employers Organisation

Make a Difference, work for your local council

The Make a Difference campaign was a collaborative piece of work to spread a focus on the numerous positive reasons to consider working in Local Authorities with a focus on the North East of England.The campaign was the first of its kind to focus solely on Local Authorities and push them as an employer of choice by creating a Local Authority brand which can be tailored and used by any councils in promoting their vacancies and improving the public perception of the sector.This was a fresh and effective approach to the problems of recruitment in Local Authorities

Warwickshire CC

An incubator for early talent!

Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to cultivating future talent is evidenced clearly through its established and successful approach to recruiting and supporting apprentices and retaining this talent within the organisation. This has been complemented in recent years with our collaboration with the Local Government Association’s National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), bringing a pipeline of young leaders into the Council who then go on to stay with us. Warwickshire County Council is more than just an employer; we are an incubator of future leaders. Our programmes invest in talent, foster collaboration, and empower our apprentices and graduates to make a real difference.  

Wealden DC

Wealden Council’s People Strategy sets the strategic Human Resources agenda for 2023 to 2027 focusing on three key cross-cutting strategic HR priorities which are:• Be a Great Place to Work• Grow our Own• Help our Managers Lead the WayOur aim is for Wealden DC to be a place where talented people choose to work and talented people choose to stay, and where employees are energised by our vision, connected to our culture, derive fulfilment from their work and are recognised for their contribution. We are a learning organisation and offer career progression, development and enhancement to all!

West Sussex CC

Inclusive recruitment in public health

In 2023, the West Sussex Public Health Team undertook a significant initiative to enhance the inclusion and diversity of its workforce by recruiting for two Graduate Public Health Practitioner posts with funding from NHS England. This aimed to provide more opportunities for local individuals from diverse backgrounds with qualifications in public health-related subjects to enter the public health workforce. The lessons learned from these innovations has helped us to nearly double the number of applications in the past year for our specialist roles rom 214 to 591 and also increase the number of people from racially marginalised communities within the team from 5.8% in 22/23 to 37% in 23/24. Also an increase in the number of people hired who have a disability from 3.73% in 22/23, to 7.3% in 23/24. We hope to continue this work to make improvements across the council.