A new campaign, ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’, aims to inspire individuals to explore career opportunities that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of local residents.
Local councils provide essential services that residents rely on every day, including social care for adults and children, planning, environmental health and finance. Following a successful pilot in the North East of England, the campaign highlights the wide range of roles available in council services, welcoming people from all backgrounds and skill levels who are looking to begin a new role in local government.
Produced in collaboration between the Local Government Association (LGA), Solace, Regional Employers Organisations, and councils across the country as part of the LGA’s Sector Support Offer, and funded by the UK Government, the campaign showcases the variety of meaningful and fulfilling opportunities in local government.
With over 9 in 10 councils experiencing recruitment and retention challenges amid growing demand for services, this initiative comes at a crucial time. It aims to address workforce shortages by attracting new talent into councils, ensuring they can continue to provide the vital services on which communities depend.
Cllr Abi Brown, Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “Hundreds of essential services are provided every day by councils and combined authorities to keep our communities running and is great way to grow a career
“From caring for families and protecting children from harm, to ensuring your favourite takeaway or restaurant is safe and keeping our streets clean, there are a wide variety of challenging but equally rewarding roles on offer.
“Working in local government offers unparalleled opportunities to make a real difference in people's lives and there has never been more important or valued time to join.”
Anyone interested in discovering how they can contribute to the future of their community by working for their local council can visit the dedicated campaign website: www.localcounciljobs.gov.uk
Cllr Dan Greenhough, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Newcastle City Council, said: “Working for a council is a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. There are hundreds of different roles within the authority where someone could not only make an impact, no matter how big or small, on someone’s life but also in this great city.
“From supporting vulnerable residents to being part of major regeneration projects or helping maintain neighbourhoods for residents to enjoy, there are opportunities to directly impact services both now and long into the future.
“Being part of your local council is being part of something bigger. A career at Newcastle City Council is really rewarding. We are Proud. We are Fair. We are Ambitious.”
The campaign website includes a postcode search to help job seekers find their ideal role. With hundreds of jobs in varying roles across the country, there are roles to suit all levels of experience, skills, and ambitions.