Graduate Trainee

Starting Salary: £34,998 increasing to £35,520 p.a. inc. London weighting
Contract: Fixed term (2 years)
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time

Brent Council’s Local Graduate Scheme

If you have ever considered working for your local council, now is the time! Brent residents and those with a local connection now have the opportunity to join our graduate scheme starting October 2026, gaining invaluable experience while helping shape the future of our borough.

We're participating in the Local Government Association's (LGA) Impact: The Local Government Gradate Programme. Impact is a two-year, high-profile national management trainee programme designed for talented graduates with the potential to become future senior leaders in local government.

You will be based at a prime location, with the Civic Centre located directly opposite Wembley Stadium. Brent is well connected, with strong transport links across the borough and beyond.

What you will do

Brent's priorities include housing, social care, public health, community cohesion, and improving employment and skills opportunities - particularly for young people and underrepresented groups. As a Graduate Management Trainee, you will play an important role in helping to address these priorities.

As a Graduate Management Trainee, you will:

• Complete a minimum of three placements tackling real projects across key service areas, gaining first-hand experience of how councils deliver meaningful change
• Contribute to policies and programmes that directly improve residents' lives
• Study for a fully funded Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification, supported by mentoring and strong peer networks
• Build the leadership, communication and analytical skills needed for a successful career in local government
  

Benefits of the scheme at Brent

• Support through the application process: Access support from current Brent graduates and the Impact team (Insight Session details below)
• Optional third year: Graduates who successfully complete the core programme are guaranteed an additional 1 year fixed-term contract
• Impactful local experience: The scheme offers the chance to work is a diverse borough you know well, gaining experience in a socially responsible council
• Exposure to senior leaders: All graduates are assigned a senior mentor from Brent's Senior Management Team
• Strong peer network: You'll be assigned a buddy, receive regular feedback session and 1:1s with the Placement Coordinator, and benefit from the strong support network created by our 16 current trainees
  

Be sure to also

• Watch our short video on what it's like to be trainee at Brent
• Join an online Insight Session on 28 November or 4 December (register via Eventbrite)
• Visit Brent.gov.uk/graduates for more information

Essential requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold, or be on track to obtain, a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in any subject by summer 2026
• Have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the two-year programme. Visa sponsorship is not available - more information on eligibility and right to work requirements is available on Impact's FAQs page.
  

You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Currently live in Brent and have done so for at least two years
• Have studied at a Brent secondary or further education provider (school, college or PRU)
• Be a Brent care leaver
• Have been a Brent Council employee for more than one year
  

The application process

All applicants must demonstrate their understanding of Impact's key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage process. Local candidates complete the same assessments as national candidates but receive a guaranteed interview with Brent if successful at the assessment centre.

Situational Judgement Test (SJT)

You will complete an online SJT as part of the initial application. It contains 24 realistic scenarios with multiple response options. The test is:

• Untimed, but must be completed in one sitting
• Completed after your application questions
• Submitted before your application can be finalised

If you need support, contact impact.support@local.gov.uk before starting your application or test.

Impact's support team will invite successful candidates to each stage of the process. Candidates who pass the assessment centre (stage 3) will then be referred for an interview with Brent Council.

For further information please visit Impact website.


How to apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply as a local Brent candidate, please submit your application via: Graduate Management Trainee on Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme (Cohort 28) - Local Recruitment for Brent.

Do not click the ‘Apply’ button below, as the LGA is managing this recruitment on our behalf.

Closing date: 12.00pm midday, Tuesday 6 January 2026

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We support Impact's commitment to recruiting graduates from all backgrounds and universities, reflecting the diverse community we serve. We seek candidates with the right values, motivation for public service, and genuine interest in Brent.

As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applicants with disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, contact impact.support@local.gov.uk. All information will be treated fairly and confidentially.

Brent promotes flexible working.

Data Transparency Statement

Before applying, you will be directed to the LGA’s privacy statement. Please be advised that by applying for this local campaign you are accepting that the local authority will have access to view your application in order to shortlist effectively against their criteria.

The LGA use anonymised/blind recruitment for all applications. This means that the local authority will not be able to see your personal details at shortlisting stage.

After shortlisting has taken place, the council will be able to view your name and will have access to contact you at each stage unless you choose to withdraw.