More graduates recruited for Nottinghamshire County Council scheme

Nottinghamshire County Council has increased the number of graduates it has recruited this year as part of its graduate development scheme.

The county council has taken on eight graduates for 2021 – the highest number since the trainee scheme began four years ago.

It follows a rigorous selection process, starting in April, for the two-year programme which aims to create the next generation of high-quality local government managers.

Close links to Nottinghamshire is essential for scheme applicants with a requirement to have graduated from a local university or be a graduate living in the county.

Cllr Gordon Wheeler, chairman of the county council’s Personnel Committee, says the increase in scheme places was due to the number of “outstanding” applicants.

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Cllr Wheeler said: “The number of outstanding applicants we had for our graduate development scheme this year meant the county council simply had to increase our annual intake to the highest ever number.

“It was fantastic to see so many bright and eager graduates wanting to commit to both a career in public service and a life in Nottinghamshire. I am confident the eight individuals selected for the scheme can look forward to a bright future with us”

The county council started the graduate development scheme in 2018; it has received over 1,000 applications in the last four years and as a result has recruited 25 candidates (including the eight for this year)

The traineeships offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities including specialist project management training; experience of adult and children social care; public health experience and access to mentors at senior management level.

Cllr Wheeler added: “This was a tough year for graduates; the pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for those fresh out of university wanting to get a foot on the career ladder.

“As one of the biggest employers in Nottinghamshire, increasing our graduate recruits demonstrates the county council’s commitment to providing employment opportunities for young people after an uncertain time.”