About the programme
The National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) is a fast-track graduate programme for bright and passionate individuals who want to make a difference while excelling in their own careers.
The programme offers the chance to work directly with communities, as well as influence policies and plans at a senior level. Trainees will complete a council-specific leadership and management qualification while earning a graduate salary.
The information on this page is for cohort 25 and not for new applicants. Applications will re-open in Autumn 2023.
If you would like to receive information about the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), you can complete an expression of interest form by visiting the Local Government Association website.
"In Bracknell Forest, we like to ‘grow our own’ future leaders. Joining the NGDP to recruit the brightest, most energetic and interested people is an important part of our strategy to do this.
As a Unitary Council we are responsible for all local government services in our area. We know our area and we know our people. We make a real difference for residents, and if you join Bracknell Forest, our senior leadership team will know you and support you to thrive.
We want someone with energy and a commitment to the area, who is prepared to work as part of a team to make things better. We look forward to you being confident to constructively challenge some established ways of doing things in a positive, inclusive way.”
Susan Halliwell, Chief Executive
The NGDP at Bracknell Forest Council
We are looking forward to welcoming 2 new graduates from cohort 25. This will be the fourth intake of National Management Trainees (NMTs) that Bracknell Forest Council has recruited. There will be a wide range of placements that you will be able to complete during the programme. Ask our current and alumni NMTs about the work they have done!
To date we have had 6 graduates who have used the scheme as a launch pad for their careers. We are delighted that one of our graduates from cohort 23 has secured a permanent position with us already.
We have also retained graduates from our previous cohorts and you can read their stories below.
What our graduates say
Jessica Carson
I would recommend Bracknell Forest Council to graduates because of the support you will receive throughout the programme. Senior leaders at the council are really invested in the scheme and in the graduate’s development.
Sebastian Wright
The council is one of the smallest unitary authorities in the country. Graduates can be exposed to the full range of services delivered while working for an organisation small enough to quickly form contacts in all of the different directorates.
Yasmin Bhandal
We are given opportunities to be involved in high level strategic work, as well as getting to understand how the organisation runs day-to-day. Staff at the organisation are very friendly and there is a culture of helpfulness and openness.
Katie Flint
After the scheme, the council supported my interest to work as a policy officer. The range of placements I undertook put me in a great position to coordinate cross-council work, including undertaking research into the impact of the pandemic on the community.
Our staff and ambition
It is our ambition for Bracknell Forest Council to:
- be the place you feel inspired to join - excited to be part of the ‘One Bracknell Team’
- provide you with the best support, tools, opportunities and development - promoting your growth and potential
- support you with high quality people managers who make you feel valued for delivering your best performance
In the same way that our community is diverse, we seek to be inclusive in our own teams. Our employees are motivated to have an impact on the community. We look for individuals who are proactive in developing and improving our practices.
We believe our staff are our greatest asset and are seeking talented, dynamic individuals to help us drive and achieve our vision
We employ around 2700 staff (and a further 1879 schools staff). Of these, approximately 350 are people managers with the average number of direct reports ranging from 1 to 8.
Of our workforce, 10.8% identify themselves as being from minority ethnic groups. 8.4% identify as disabled.
Most staff feel satisfied with Bracknell Forest Council as a place to work. Many express their satisfaction with the support and resources made available to them to do their work.
Our values and behaviours
- in every interaction and communication, we seek to listen and understand - we make sure that there is an inclusive and collaborative culture of openness and honesty, we respect individuality, diversity and wide-ranging perspectives
- we focus on equity, people, and trusting relationships
- through our determination, we aspire to excellence and adding value in everything that we do - we work together and treat others as we would expect ourselves or our families to be treated
- we do what we say we are going to do and hold ourselves and others to account
- we strive for continuous improvement, proactively seeking development opportunities, reflecting, and learning from experience
- we are adaptable, innovative and resourceful and adopt new ways of working
Next steps for cohort 25
Attend our information session
We held our first session on Monday 24 April and will be holding another on Wednesday 26 April. This will be a great opportunity for you to meet our current and alumni NMTs. Here, you can ask any questions and hear more about being an NMT at Bracknell Forest Council.
The session will last 1 hour and be held on Teams. Use the link below to join us:
Interviews
Our interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 May 2023.
We would like to hold as many interviews as we can face to face but there will also be the opportunity to attend interviews using Teams.
For all applicants joining us for interviews, you will be welcomed with an introduction from our chief executive on 23 May 2023 and for those who attend in person an opportunity to see more of Bracknell.
There will also be 2 to 3, short panel interviews lasting 20 to 30 minutes. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the service managers across our directorates to find out more about what they do.
There will be some time with our current and alumni NMTs to share their experience and answer any questions you may have.
Inductions
To hit the ground running and start achieving your objectives, you will complete a placement induction. It will help you get started straight away and help you to feel confident in delivering in your role.
Your placement induction programme is designed to familiarise you with practical workplace essentials and our 'one council' values and behaviours. You will be able to discuss these in more detail with your placement coordinator, line manager, mentor and NMT buddy.