How to become Local government officer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- a graduate training scheme
University
You may need to do a degree or a job-specific qualification, depending on the department you want to work in.
Subjects include:
- town planning
- urban design
- historic building conservation
- housing
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could do a college course in a subject like business and administration before applying directly for this role.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship. The exact apprenticeship will depend on your duties.
Examples include:
- Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Public Service Operational Delivery Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
These usually take between a year and a year and a half to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You could start in local government as an administrative assistant, providing support to council departments.
You could then work your way up to more senior positions through training and promotion on the job. Experience in office work would be useful.
Direct Application
You can apply for jobs directly if you've got the right skills and experience. Some local authorities may ask for a minimum of 4 GCSEs, A levels, or equivalent qualifications, depending on the vacancy.
For certain jobs, you may need a degree or specific professional qualification in an area like town planning or public policy.
Experience of working in customer service and using common computer packages like Word and Excel, are also valued by employers, and could help your career prospects.
Other Routes
You may be able to join a local authority's Local Government Graduate Programme if you've got a second class degree or higher. Most subjects are acceptable.
You could also get into this job through an internship.
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Further information
You'll find details about careers in local government through the Local Government Association.