The National Graduate Development Programme at Waltham Forest

At Waltham Forest, we have been running the NGDP since its inception. This means we have an excellent understanding of how to run the programme successfully. We have a well-established way of operating the scheme and it is highly regarded by the Council’s senior management. Find out more about the perks of being a graduate at Waltham Forest below.

A unique support system for graduates

We place great value on graduates and the NGDP scheme. For this reason, using our expertise in running the scheme since it began, we have developed a comprehensive support structure to ensure our graduates can hit the ground running from day one.

Graduates will benefit from having two managers with whom they will have regular one-on-one meetings. The Placement Manager allocates your work and ensures you are developing your skills and knowledge. Your Line Manager has more distance from your work and will help provide pastoral support.

Your Placement Co-ordinators will support you throughout your time on the scheme. They will ensure that you are allocated placements you are interested in and that your placements are meeting your expectations.

Your Mentor will be someone senior in the Council who you can meet as and when you wish to discuss anything from your personal to your professional development. Finally, the Programme Sponsor, currently the Deputy Chief Executive Shazia Hussain, champions the programme and ensures it is able to run successfully for your and future cohorts.

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the graduate scheme at Waltham Forest (PDF) 

Employment at Waltham Forest

On top of our support system tailored to graduates, there is a range of other benefits you will receive as an NMT at Waltham Forest, which include:

Job stability and security

• Starting salary of £30,700
• On-the-job training: you’ll complete a Level 7 Institute of Leadership and Management qualification. This is the equivalent of a post graduate certificate.
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Laptop and Headset supplied

A work-life balance

• 28 days annual leave plus public holidays (with the option to buy up to 5 days additional leave each year)
• Family-friendly policies including flexible working, maternity, paternity, and adoption, as well as time off for study leave, exams and public duty
• Hybrid working, working remotely and including from your home
• Flexi-time scheme which allows working flexibly between 7am to 7pm

Our wellbeing offer

• Up to 4 days of paid volunteering leave
• Free independent and confidential advice and counselling are available to all employees
• Discounted gym membership
• Bike loans

A range of networking and development opportunities

• Internal Staff Networks such as Women of Waltham Forest and Out in the Forest (our LGBTQI+ network)
• A supportive network of NGDP alumni
• Exposure to senior leaders
• Mentoring and coaching schemes
• Additional training and qualification opportunities