"I joined the graduate scheme in August 2018 as a graduate trainee - projects and change officer in technology and change. The graduate programme was designed to help me explore three potential career pathways in the first year, gaining experience in each field, and I was able to use the second year of the programme to gain experience specifically relating to my chosen pathway. It was great to have a number of options available and to be able to experience them in practice to inform my decision, rather than relying on a paper job description!
During my time on the graduate scheme I was given many opportunities to develop my skills through a fantastic array of training programmes, both relating to my role such as PRINCE2 and project management training, and training for future aspirations such as management and leadership courses. I also found the peer support and mentoring I had access to invaluable and very useful for planning my medium and long term goals.
I would encourage anyone leaving university to consider a graduate role at the council. The diversity of the organisation and roles on offer is second to none, and the support to find your perfect fit role, and to acquire the skills you need to be successful in applying for that role, is excellent. It’s also really important to me to feel that my role is helping to make a difference in the world, and this is something which I feel working for the council helps me to achieve".
Emma Pemberton, project manager level one, technology and change
"The graduate scheme at the council is a fantastic opportunity to get your foot in the door and work with all types of people. My role as graduate trainee in the communications team has enabled me to develop my skills even further from university. There has been a clear path of development and the more I have excelled the more I am seen as a trustworthy and reliable member of the team.
I have had amazing opportunities; working on the Union Cycliste Internationale world road cycling championships – out and about catching the action, running my ‘Made in North Yorkshire’ social media campaign, working alongside the press and all types of senior management are to name a few. You are exposed to so many great learning opportunities. I have gained so much knowledge on the way in which the council is structured and its values.
The experience I have gained thus far is incredible. For me the workload has been so varied, working across the different teams, which sit in the wider communications team – one day I could be answering telephones to the press and the next I could be out interviewing members of the public. You learn from so many creative and different people. The support and advice from my manager has been invaluable and with this being my first proper job, I feel so welcomed into such a lovely team. The council is a great place to work and I would recommend the graduate scheme to anyone, if you are thinking about applying then do it. The job has so many benefits and it’s very rewarding."
Jessica Highfield - secured a role as communications specialist project officer in June 2021
Other fantastic feedback from our graduates who secured a role with us
"I really enjoyed the role and learnt a lot in the short time on the graduate scheme before securing a permanent role. There is a very positive work culture and supportive environment at the council, along with a good development offer to graduates on the scheme alongside their graduate role."
"Really positive, good opportunity to go into a company at graduate level and gain support whilst learning on the job. Good role to get your foot in the door to a job in the public sector / local authority to help secure a role longer term. I enjoyed the variety of different placements providing new skills and experience. Highly recommend the councils graduate scheme and working in the public sector, there are also good rewards and benefits package available."
"Very positive experience on the council scheme with positive attitude to the graduates and managers wanting to help and use the new resource. Great to have a ‘proper job’ and authority to take on the role which helped dealing with customers and good support to enable me to grow in knowledge and confidence to apply and succeed in securing a permanent role."