Jacqui Smale is an NGDP Graduate Trainee at the Local Government Association. Here’s her experience of working in local government!
I spent my first year on the NGDP working in placements across the LGA’s Improvement Directorate. Initially I worked across two regional support teams, then in the Workforce team, and then in the Productivity team.
I have taken part in the LGA’s flagship Corporate Peer Challenge and have helped plan and facilitate the first pilot of the Social Housing Management Peer Challenge. This involved working with colleagues from a variety of councils, and engaging with housing officers, councillors and tenants throughout our time onsite.
I’ve also been involved in planning the LGA’s COP27 campaign, highlighting best practice from councils across the country.
A typical day will involve meetings with both internal colleagues and external partners, such as London Councils, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and local authorities across the country.
My tasks vary from day to day but can include formulating ideas for the LGA’s improvement offer, writing briefings, planning events, and liaising with council officers to provide them with relevant support.
I’m also an events officer for the NGDP Policy Network, so have the opportunity to work closely with grads at a variety of councils to plan events which aid the development of myself and others.
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Working in local government
