Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a fast-track graduate programme for bright and passionate individuals who want to make a difference while excelling in their career. It offers the chance to work directly with communities, but also to influence policy at a senior level, all while earning a graduate salary and completing a leadership and management qualification.
Councils across the country are looking for the next generation of leaders who have the passion and skills to navigate the biggest challenges facing communities and the sector. From sustainability, homelessness and unemployment, to town centre regeneration, social care, and education – local councils are at the forefront of delivering real change.
As a Graduate Management Trainee on the Impact programme, you will work for two years in one of 80+ partner councils on a minimum salary of £33,673 (this may increase pending pay negotiations).
Over a minimum of three different placements, you will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects in key areas of council life where you can make a real contribution and gain valuable, career-shaping experiences. You will be supported in these roles through mentoring and a fully-funded learning programme, culminating in a qualification from the Chartered Management Institute.
Impact is a national graduate scheme for local government and has a high record of success, with many graduates moving into management positions in councils after they complete the scheme. If you want a career leading change in the public sector, this is the programme for you.
About you
The Impact programme is passionate about recruiting graduates from all different backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines – our aim is to reflect the diverse communities that our partner councils serve. We are looking for people who have the right values and attitudes, and who can demonstrate their motivation for a career in the public sector. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, and additional support is available for under-represented groups during our assessment processes, so all candidates have a fair chance of showing us their full potential.
Our key skills and behaviours
The application process for Impact has been designed to measure the following key skills and behaviours.
Working with Others
Works collaboratively across diverse teams demonstrating sensitivity and respect for individual differences in terms of background, needs, and perspectives. Asks questions and is open to challenge in the pursuit of mutually beneficial solutions.
Effective Communication
Articulates information with clarity and purpose both orally and in writing and can adapt approach to meet the needs of the audience. Actively listens to ensure understanding and balances opinions with evidence to achieve impact.
Planning and Organisation
Proactively manages own workload effectively and efficiently to balance multiple and varied demands. Is comfortable working on multiple projects or tasks, drawing on effective strategies, tools, and techniques to prioritise tasks.
Results Focused and Adaptability
Takes responsibility for getting things done and meeting expectations, with the flexibility to adapt approach in response to changing priorities or new information. Considers the implications of their decisions and actions and remains positive in the face of challenge or setbacks.
Analysis and Problem Solving
Accurately interprets information from different sources, including numerical and non-numerical data, to gain insight, solve problems, and draw evidence-based conclusions. Effectively makes links between different sources to identify key trends.
Motivation for Learning and Personal Resilience
Proactively seeks out opportunities, both formal and informal, to learn and develop. Values continuous learning, development, and self-improvement. Demonstrates the resilience to manage conflicting priorities and recognises the importance of self-care and boundary setting.
Commitment to Local Government and the Wider Community
Is passionate and enthusiastic about serving and supporting the needs and interests of the local community and achieving a meaningful impact through the work. Recognises the broader political/economic landscape on local initiatives and how own actions can have a positive impact.
Leadership Potential
Recognises the importance of leading by example through their own work ethic and values. Is comfortable working independently and taking ownership of tasks, whilst providing support and leadership to others.
The requirements
Impact welcomes graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study. Our only requirements are that you must have:
- A minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by August 2027
- The right to work in the UK for the duration of the 2-year programme. Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visas.
For more information on eligibility and right to work requirements, please visit our website.
Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their understanding of our key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process. Impact runs one national recruitment process each year, and supports councils to run local and internal recruitment campaigns.
Please read before applying
As part of the application process, you are required to complete a Situational Judgment Test (SJT), which is the only assessment you need to complete at this stage.
The Situational Judgement Test presents you with 24 realistic scenarios that someone might experience in a role on the programme, along with multiple ways of responding. The SJT will appear after you have completed your application questions and you will need to complete the SJT before you can submit your application.
Instructions for the test
This test is untimed, but we anticipate that it will take you around an hour on average to complete. We suggest you complete the test in one sitting, when you have at least 1-2 hours to spare, to avoid putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. If you want to take a break during the assessment, you will be able to do so after answering a question and before proceeding to the next question. You can log back in at any time to complete the entire SJT by the application deadline. You will be taken to the assessment page after answering your application questions.
You will need to read each scenario, then provide an effectiveness rating for each of the provided response options. There are detailed instructions within the form.
If you have any questions, or require support completing your application or SJT, please contact us before starting your application or test.
For further information please visit our website.
Closing date: 12.00 midday, Wednesday 6 January 2027
Please note that you can only apply for one Impact programme per year.
