The Local Government Association has confirmed that its successful scheme to introduce graduates to the local government workforce is to be renamed ‘Impact.’
Over the course of two decades, the programme formerly known as the National Graduate Development Programme has brought thousands of graduates into the sector, with many of these going on to be Chief Executives, Directors, and Managers.
According to the LGA, the new name is one that gives clarity, whilst also highlighting the dual impact of the programme as it benefits both graduates and communities.
The Impact programme takes place over a two-year period, with councils taking graduates on as Graduate Management Trainees to help them develop their skills across a variety of services. This is done by completing a minimum of three placements, whilst undergoing a learning and development programme and postgraduate qualification.

High-demand areas across local government, such as housing, social care, children’s social services and regeneration, are some of those in which trainees could be placed as they play potentially key roles in transformation projects.
Chairman of the Improvement and Innovation Board at the LGA, Cllr Abi Brown OBE, said:
“Impact sums up everything we believe about our incredibly successful and long-running graduate recruitment scheme for local government.
“It highlights the effect of the programme on councils and the communities they serve, as well as on graduates themselves as they learn new skills and use them to improve vital local public services.
“There has never been a more important time to work in local government and this refresh will continue to encourage high-quality candidates, from across the country and all backgrounds, to apply and find out what an impact they can make on people’s everyday lives.”
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