NGDP

Thank you!! I suppose I should have been more clear - I was wondering (if successful) whether I'd be contractually obliged to complete the scheme? So if, for example, I wanted to leave after just a year, would that be allowed?

If you're wanting to work for the FCO are you planning on applying for the Fast Stream any time soon?

Yeah I hope they don't ask us complicated questions about the local government. I did some research before and after I applied to the position, but other than that I have no prior experience or knowledge of working in the government or things related to it. Unless you can count being the head of the student council for 5 years I'm kind of shocked I've even made it though this far tbh.

What's everyone's background btw?

I honestly couldn't say...If I was guessing, I would assume you had to complete it, unless you had a really good reason for dropping out. I don't think their website has much about this either. I don't even think there would be a good time to ask such a question...

I plan to apply next September, unless the NGDP comes through with a job. I wouldn't mind working in local government, and it doesn't have to be forever, if I wanted to move to the Civil Service instead.

Oh, I should add something about senior officers as this is what NGDP is trying to create. You have the Strategic Director, who heads a department such as Planning, Highways & Environment. Then there's the Director/Assistant director who heads a division of the department such as the full planning function plus a few extras. Then you have the section head/service manager, who runs a specific service such as planning development control. I'd have thought this is the minimum level that NGDP high flyers should be ultimately aiming for!

Senior officers have significant powers delegated to them, such as the approval of some planning applications, the approval of making statutory orders or the approval of smaller contracts. This relieves the load for committees which deal with the key decisions. But the downside is that if things go wrong, you can take rap even if you only had indirect involvement in a matter. Just ask Sharon Shoesmith!!

We will have contacted all applicants regarding the first stage of the ngdp by friday 9th March 2012

If your application is successful you will be invited to an assessment centre in April 2012.

There will then be a round of interviews in May / June 2012 to decide the final intake.

Oh, I should add something about senior officers as this is what NGDP is trying to create. You have the Strategic Director, who heads a department such as Planning, Highways & Environment. Then there's the Director/Assistant director who heads a division of the department such as the full planning function plus a few extras. Then you have the section head/service manager, who runs a specific service such as planning development control. I'd have thought this is the minimum level that NGDP high flyers should be ultimately aiming for!

Senior officers have significant powers delegated to them, such as the approval of some planning applications, the approval of making statutory orders or the approval of smaller contracts. This relieves the load for committees which deal with the key decisions. But the downside is that if things go wrong, you can take rap even if you only had indirect involvement in a matter. Just ask Sharon Shoesmith!!

Thank you for this. I had no idea about this sort of thing, so it has been a great help for me. I assume anyone applying for this role has a senior position as their goal, but I didn't know about all the individual levels involved.

Does anyone know if it will be two assessment days? I checked the email, and that suggests two, but the website seems to suggest one and then a local authority interview -

Concentrate on passing the first stage instead

Ha Ha. I plan to do so, but I've a fairly packed next few months. It'd be a great help to me if I didn't have to prepare for another AC...

Well, you hardly have to 'prepare' much at this stage - save that for the interview!

I am brushing up on my math skills, and doing some reading about LG...Just in case. Only problem is, I was supposed to be working on my dissertation. It isn't due for a month but I want to get it done.

I figured it was better to prepare a little, even if it turns out to not be needed.

Sounds good, my dissertation is due too except I haven't even started - which reminds me, I need to get cracking on that...ASAP

Yes thanks for sharing your knowledge - when's your assessment day?

I've got my assessment centre on Thursday in Manchester. No idea what to expect but his whole calculator issue has put me off a little! My maths isn't the best...

Wow this site moves fast over the past few days! Im so glad I've done the Assessment Centre stage already, but obviously gutted I didn't go further then it last year! I don't think it would be appropriate to discuss what may happen at the assessment centre, but all I can advise is be super prepared! (Whatever that may mean thesedays...)