Working for Local Government

Local government is a huge service provider of education, housing, social and community services, environmental health and much more. Councils provide these services directly to the public or may arrange for third parties to do so.

Most of the services Councils provide affect all of us, and can have a major impact on peoples’ lives. The collection of your household rubbish, the school your children go to, care for elderly or disadvantaged family members, hygiene in local restaurants, libraries, the leisure centre you keep fit in and the development of housing all come under the responsibility of the council. No other service provider or employer plays such a pivotal role in the community – a role that really does make a difference to the way we all live.

The key service areas of Councils’ include human resources, finance, IT, education, health, legal, planning, environmental, leisure, tourism, regeneration, property and social services, which means that whatever your background, education or work experience there is a job for you with your local council.

Local government employs over two million people and is one of the largest employers in the UK. The range of jobs within local government is huge, covering everything from unskilled work through to professions in areas such as teaching, architecture, finance, HR and social work. Working for such a large employer that is located UK-wide means that the opportunities for career progression are great.

You’ll also find that as employers the Councils embrace social issues such as worklife balance, diversity and life-long learning. This means you will find flexible working, guaranteed interview schemes for the disabled, ongoing training and development plus a range of excellent benefits from pensions to childcare.