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Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a bespoke fast-track two-year graduate programme with opportunities to work across different services to influence, shape and improve services for residents.

The Impact learning and development offer comes with a fully funded Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 qualification in Leadership and Management (equivalent to 20 credits at postgraduate level) which has been designed specifically to equip trainees with the required knowledge, skills and understanding to be a leader in the public sector.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study are welcome to apply with the requirement of a minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by July 2027 and the right to work in the UK. We recruit to the programme from the National Pool and a local route. To be eligible to apply for our local route, you must be able to demonstrate that you are either a Borough care leaver, Borough resident or an employee of Barking and Dagenham Council.

Our offer

Graduates are employed on a two-year fixed term contract as a Graduate Management Trainee and are expected to complete three to four placements on rotation over the two years. We provide a rich variety of learning and development opportunities and exposure, with opportunities to contribute to all kinds of projects, initiatives and operational work. We have open conversation with trainees about their work preferences as the two years progresses and match their specific interests and skills to one of our corporate, strategic, operational, or front-line service areas.

We understand that a solid network of peers provides enhanced learning and development opportunities whilst on the scheme. Therefore, we have put together the Early Careers Network. The network provides a space in which graduate trainees from the various graduate career pathways and those who are early in their careers can come together based on a shared identity to share their learning, arrange events, discuss issues, raise awareness, and advocate for development and improvement of trainee provision.

Graduate Management Trainees are employed at Scale 6, with a starting salary of £35,520 per annum. In addition to generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements, employees have access to a wide range of benefits and discounts through the Council's Perkbox benefits hub, helping to support wellbeing, save money and make everyday spending go further.

The LGA Impact programme provides access to recorded candidate support workshops, including guidance on the Situational Judgement Test, video interviews and careers in local government. Please note that these recordings refer to NGDP, the programme's former name.

View the recordings and candidate resources on the Local Government Association website.

How to apply

Applications for Cohort 28 are now closed.

Information about the Impact: Local Government Graduate Programme, including details of the national programme and how to register your interest for future cohorts, is available on the Local Government Association website.

The application link for the Barking and Dagenham Impact Local Route will be published on this page when it becomes available. In the meantime, individuals interested in learning more about the programme are encouraged to register for an upcoming information session using our Microsoft Form.

 Further details and registration information are available on the Microsoft Form also.