The NGDP at Waltham Forest

We are a proud supporter of the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), a two year scheme for graduates who wish to pursue a career in local government.

Each year a new group of graduates are given the opportunity to work across departments at the Council, gaining valuable experience and insight into the operations of the public sector and local authorities.

Employed on a two-year fixed-term contract, trainees rotate between different placements of their choosing to develop their skills and knowledge, leading projects to support the delivery of our corporate priorities to support the communities of Waltham Forest.  Alongside this, they will study for a postgraduate level certificate from the Institute for Leadership and Management (ILM). This is a varied and prestigious programme which has a high record of success in placing graduates in positions of management in local government upon completion of the scheme. 

Our previous graduates have undertaken placements as:

• An evaluation officer for London’s First Borough of Culture programme, designing evaluation tools and organising a launch event for the final report at London’s City Hall,
• A project manager for The Climate Emergency Commission working to develop the Council’s vision for combatting climate change
• Working within our Chief Executive’s office to support flagship projects such as the Citizens Assembly on Hate Crime and the 2022 Local Election
• Supporting the Borough’s Violence Reduction Partnership, leading on projects to examine racial disparity within outcomes for young people involved in the criminal justice system.

This is a programme has a high record of success placing graduates in positions of management in Waltham Forest and other local authorities upon completion of the scheme.

The scheme is run centrally through the Local Government Association (LGA).

As a council, we have opted into the LGA’s local recruitment process which allows us to reserve a place at interview for successful applicants who have a local connection.

Our wider offer:

To make sure Waltham Forest Council is the best place to support graduates on the graduate development programme, we are offering the following:  

Support throughout the application process: All local applicants will be given the opportunity to receive support throughout the recruitment process from graduates who are currently on the programme. 

Mentoring: All graduates join our mentoring programme, which includes training for both graduates and senior mentors to help get the best out of your mentoring relationship 

Training and qualifications: graduates are provided with additional training – in previous years this has included project management courses and sessions with a qualified work coach 

Exposure to senior leaders: graduates will be given the opportunity to meet and work with senior staff across the council including the Chief Executive and the Leader of the council.  

A network and support: Waltham Forest has taken on graduates form the NGDP scheme for many years and this means graduates can expect to be supported by a large and growing network of colleagues. 

Priority interview: By applying as a local candidates for Waltham Forest Council, successful applicants who reach the final stage of the recruitment process will be guaranteed an interview with us.  

A commitment to your future: As you come towards the end of the scheme, we will support you to fulfil your ambitions, by helping you to identify and secure your next permanent role

To find out more about this fantastic opportunity for Waltham Forest residents, join us at one of our Q&A sessions. These are informal drop-in sessions to ask any questions you have about the scheme, and to hear about the experiences of current graduates working here at Waltham Forest Council.

Eventbrite booking for Q&A sessions

• 13 December at 5.15pm
• 20 December at 5.15pm
• 3 January at 5.15pm

We are committed to supporting local candidates with the NGDP application process.

For more information, support, and guidance, contact us at NGDP@walthamforest.gov.uk.

If you are interested in applying to the NGDP, please visit our NGDP Graduate Trainee vacancy page for more information.