The ngdp is a two-year graduate management development programme, run by the Local Government Association. The programme was set up to provide local government with the high-calibre managers their communities need – and to give committed graduates the training and opportunities to make a positive impact.

Local government is the largest employer in the UK, with over two million staff in over 400 local authorities and in excess of 500 different occupational areas. Since 2002 over 550 graduates have completed the programme and many now hold influential managerial and policy roles. Now is a time of huge change in the sector and trainees will make a real contribution to bringing these changes about.

The national programme framework is built on a series of placements in key areas within a council and offers a range of experiences and challenges. All of which provide a broad understanding of different aspects of local government in strategy, front-line service and support. Although employed by a participating authority on a two-year, fixed-term contract, graduates will also benefit from being part of a national programme group, giving them the opportunity to participate in a national induction event, join an established knowledge-sharing network and take part in an accredited series of learning and development components.

The programme has taken graduates in many different directions. Find out how you can make a difference