Graduate Management Trainee on Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme – Cohort 29 Local Recruitment for Liverpool City Council

This is an opportunity for local candidates (or those with a local connection) to apply to become a Graduate Management Trainee as part of Cohort 29 of Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme on a fixed-term contract until Autumn 2029 for Liverpool City Councill.

Local applications will progress in the same timeframe as Impact's national recruitment process, and local candidates will be assessed alongside national candidates - with the exception of the final interview stage. By applying as a local candidate, you will be guaranteed an interview with us around April 2027 if you reach the final stage of the recruitment process. Please be aware that local candidates will interview only with their local authority, and interviews are usually held earlier than for those applying nationally.

The role

Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a fast-track graduate programme for bright and passionate individuals who want to make a difference while excelling in their career. It offers the chance to work directly with communities, but also to influence policy at a senior level. All while earning a graduate salary and completing a leadership and management qualification.

We are looking for the next generation of leaders who have the passion and skills to navigate the biggest challenges facing communities and the sector. From sustainability, homelessness and unemployment to town centre regeneration, social care, and education, local councils are at the forefront of delivering real change.

As a Graduate Management Trainee on the Impact programme, you will work for two years at [Liverpool City Council] on a minimum salary of £33,673 (this may increase pending pay negotiations).

Over a minimum of three different placements, you will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects in key areas of council life where you can make a real contribution and gain valuable, career-shaping experiences. You will be supported in these roles through mentoring and a fully-funded learning programme, culminating in a qualification from the Chartered Management Institute.

Impact is a national graduate programme specifically for local government and has a high record of success with many graduates moving into management positions in councils after they complete the scheme. If you want a career leading change in the public sector, this is the programme for you.

About us

You know Liverpool. Now imagine helping to shape its future.

If you're from Liverpool or have a close connection to the city, you'll already know there's nowhere quite like it. We're proud, passionate, creative and ambitious, and we're a city that regularly finds itself on the world stage.

You'll have seen Liverpool host some incredible moments, from Eurovision and major sporting and cultural events to the annual River of Light. And there is plenty more to come, with major events continuing to bring national and international attention to our city.

But Liverpool is about much more than the big moments and events.

It's about our people, our communities and our neighbourhoods. Our ambition at Liverpool City Council is to make Liverpool fairer, cleaner and stronger for all. That means tackling some big and complex challenges, including reducing health inequalities, improving education and skills, creating a strong and fair economy, supporting thriving communities and creating a greener, more sustainable city. Climate action, inclusion and equalities, innovation and transformation run throughout our Council Plan.

And there's lots changing inside the Council too. We're transforming how we work and how we deliver services, including a major programme to modernise our IT systems. That means there are real opportunities for graduates to get involved in work that can make a difference both to the organisation and to the people and communities we serve.

We're looking for three talented and passionate graduates from Liverpool, or with a close connection to the City, who want to be part of that.

Across your two years, you'll experience very different sides of the Council and work on projects that matter to Liverpool and the people who live here.

Our graduates have had placements across Public Health, Transformation, Communications and Engagement, Safer City and Communities, Refugees and Asylum, Digital and Customer, Culture, Environmental Services, Finance and more.

And your journey won't be completely mapped out for you from day one. We take a flexible approach to placements. While your first placement will be chosen for you, you'll have the opportunity to help shape where you go next. We'll work with you to understand your interests, your aspirations and the skills and experience you want to develop, giving you the chance to explore different parts of the Council and start figuring out where your future career could take you. This reflects the flexible placement approach we have developed for the programme.

You'll also have plenty of support along the way. You'll have opportunities to meet with the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, a senior leader as your mentor, access to our Early Careers Network and opportunities to connect with other graduates from across the wider Liverpool City Region.

So, if Liverpool is your city, this is your chance to help shape what comes next.

About you

The Impact programme is passionate about recruiting graduates from all different backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines: our aim is to reflect the diverse communities that our partner councils serve. We are looking for people who have the right values and attitudes and who can demonstrate their motivation for a career in the public sector. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, and additional support is available for under-represented groups during our assessment processes, so all candidates have a fair chance of showing us their full potential.

The requirements

Impact welcomes graduates from all backgrounds and areas of study. In order to apply, you must meet the following programme criteria:

• You will have obtained a minimum 2.2 undergraduate degree by August 2027
• You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the 2-year programme. Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visas.

For more information on eligibility and right to work requirements please visit the Impact website.

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate their understanding of our key skills and behaviours through a competitive, multi-stage application process. Impact runs one national recruitment process each year and supports councils to run local and internal recruitment campaigns.

In addition to the above, you must also meet the following eligibility criteria in order to be considered for this local campaign:

• Currently live within the Liverpool City Council boundary (The Liverpool City Region covers a wider area, so if you're not sure whether your address qualifies, you can check your local council using Find your local council - GOV.UK); or
• Have studied (at a secondary or further education establishment, including school, college, University) in Liverpool; or
• Be a Liverpool Care leaver; or
• Have been a Liverpool City Council employee for more than one year.

Evidence of local eligibility

Candidates who progress through the recruitment process may be required to provide evidence that they meet the local eligibility criteria for this campaign. We will advise shortlisted candidates of the evidence required and the deadline for submission. Candidates who are unable to provide satisfactory evidence may not be progressed to interview for this local recruitment campaign.

Please read before applying

As part of the application process, you are required to complete a Situational Judgment Test which is the only assessment you need to complete at this stage.

The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) presents you with 24 realistic scenarios that someone might experience in a role on the programme, along with multiple ways of responding. The SJT will appear after you have completed your application questions and you will need to complete the SJT before you can submit your application.

Instructions for the test:

This test is untimed, but we anticipate that it will take you around an hour on average to complete. We suggest you complete the test in one sitting, when you have at least 1-2 hours to spare, to avoid putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. If you want to take a break during the assessment, you will be able to do so after answering a question and before proceeding to the next question. You can log back in at any time to complete the entire situational judgement test by the application deadline. You will be taken to the assessment page after answering your application questions.

You will need to read each scenario, then provide an effectiveness rating for each of the provided response options. There are detailed instructions within the form.

If you have any questions or require support completing your application or situational judgement test, please do not hesitate to contact impact.support@local.gov.uk before starting your application or test.

For further information please visit the Impact website.

Closing date: 12.00pm midday, Wednesday 6 January 2027.

Please note: You can only apply for one Impact programme per year.