Local government officer: Training

Most local councils/authorities provide employee training and development. Many have shown their dedication to the continued professional development of staff by achieving Investors in People (IiP) status, which is a national initiative to promote excellence in training and development.

It is common for all new starters at every level to have a period of induction training prior to starting the job. This is then followed by on-the-job training from experienced staff, supported by any formal training courses that are required.

For graduates, many local councils/authorities will run specific graduate training schemes, or management trainee schemes, which will typically be a series of work placements in a variety of roles and departments and will generally be supported by further academic qualifications.

Many local councils/authorities assess employees’ individual training needs through regular job appraisals, which enable the line manager and the employee to identify current and future training needs. This could involve in-house training sessions or support towards other formal qualifications.

Membership of professional bodies will depend on the department in which you are employed. Training in a specific area relevant to the job will often provide the basis for membership of a professional group. Further information on qualifications and professional bodies is available on the Local Government Careers  website.