Graduate Opportunities

Graduate Development Programme

The next intake on the graduate programme will be 2025

Please register with myjobscotland.gov.uk and select to receive alerts on graduate programme when posts are advertised.

Our Graduate Programme is a 2 year long supported skills development and career management opportunity that places graduates at the heart of the organisation, giving them the opportunities to jumpstart their career in local government, take on leadership training, and inject fresh perspectives into the organisation.

We are seeking candidates with:

• Good written and oral communication skills
• Organisational skills
• Leadership potential
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to take initiative

Candidates should have graduated prior to applying for a position on the Graduate Programme.

We value and recognise everyone's worth. You can see more about how we support equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce here. As a part of this we want to reflect the diversity of the city we serve, therefore we particularly encourage applications from black and minority ethnic, and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. 

What you can expect

As a successful candidate for any of our various Graduate roles you can expect to receive practical hands on experience in your day to day duties with support from your manager and team members. The programme is headed by Corporate HR who will seek regular feedback from you throughout the process to ensure that you are being fully supported in your development. We will invest in your potential to help you develop your skills and to support your future. 

Mentoring

A key factor in the success of our Graduates is our Mentoring Scheme. You will be allocated a mentor from the leadership team who will assist you in developing skills for your personal and professional growth. The relationship will be focused around you with the aim of moving your career forward.

Training

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in leadership and management training specifically for graduates as well as a variety of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion training opportunities afforded to all council employees. Upcoming EDI training for council employees includes

Events

In your time on the Graduate Development Programme you will also be given the opportunity to play your part in the running of events across the city. In recent years our graduates have had roles in delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the 2020 UN Climate Conference, COP26, as well as assisting in local and council elections. 

Hear from our current Graduates

"Glasgow City Council is very respectful and caring of its staff. The Graduate Programme is unique as they offer exciting and nuanced opportunities that no other employer can offer"

"I enjoy and feel confident being a Glasgow City Council employee. If I have any issues, there is always someone who will try to help you solve your problem"

"I'm very supported by my team and am given ample opportunities to take part in both internal and external experiences, such as COP26 and MCR Pathways"

"I believe the work ethic and management it fantastic, providing me with the support and challenges I need to be able to grow and develop new skills"

Career Progression

The Graduate development programme is a great stepping stone in your career, with support from managers and the programme lead to prepare you for your next steps. Since 2016, 58% of participants in the graduate programme have secured roles within Glasgow City Council, and 37% have continued their career development with other organisations, utilising their experience at Glasgow City Council to secure roles at either the same or a higher level.

Below are some examples of the positive destinations our Graduate Programme Alumni have achieved:

"Hi, my name is Stefano and I've successfully taken part in Glasgow City Council's Graduate Programme 2021-2022.

The programme has been a unique experience for me, strewn with many successes achievements that eventually helped me in the process of securing a high-qualified permanent job with the Scottish Government.

I really appreciate the opportunity to work very closely with a couple of experienced senior managers with top-notch coaching skills, who invested a lot of time in supporting my professional and individual growth while also considering my own ambitions and needs.

I'm also very thankful for the first-class formal training I received which produced very positive and tangible repercussions on my job performance and skillset.

I've also enjoyed the constant and regular support from the programme management team that makes this challenging but highly rewarding experience very manageable."

How to apply/Contact 

In order to take part in the programme you have to meet the criteria of having a graduate qualification, being underemployed (in a role which doesn't reflect your graduate qualification), unemployed or facing redundancy.  You also need to live in the Glasgow City Council Boundary (the house you live in should pay Council Tax to Glasgow City Council). 

All of our posts are advertised on the Glasgow City Council Pages on My Job Scotland therefore if you meet the criteria above then you should register with My Job Scotland and select to receive alerts for Graduate Posts you will then receive a notification when posts are advertised.  

Graduate opportunities will be advertised on myjobscotland.

Any inquires about the Graduate development programme can be sent to the Graduate Mailbox: CorporateGraduateProgramme@glasgow.gov.uk