The Local Government Experience
Are you looking for a unique and exciting work experience event? The Local Government Work Experience programme could be a great opportunity for you.
What local government can offer you
There are hundreds of different job roles within local government. Local government have exciting, rewarding, and varied career opportunities whether you're:
- Leaving school after your GCSEs
- Taking an apprenticeship
- Staying in education for A-Levels or other qualifications
- Going to university
Our unique event gives you the chance to become a council employee for an entire week. You can get a taste of the fantastic career opportunities that await you in a council
Event details
Who it is for
This opportunity is open to Year 10 students in Norfolk.
When it is
The Local Government Experience takes place from Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July 2025.
Each day runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Where it is
The Local Government Experience takes place between:
- County Hall in Norwich
- Broadland and South Norfolk District Council Offices, Broadland Business Park, Norwich
What the plan for the week is
- Day 1: You'll learn about the important issues and services that councils offer. You'll also learn the personal skills you'll develop as a local government officer.
- Day 2: You'll experience what it's like to be part of our customer service team. You'll interact with residents, learn what trading standards do and how Adults and Childrens services support the community.
- Day 3: You'll get a chance to experience some of our more technical roles. For example, planning, housing, environmental health and early help.
- Day 4: You'll be joining a project group and solving a challenge with one of our guest mentors
- Day 5: We'll reflect on the week and plan for your future. You'll get to pitch the solutions from your day 4 team project to some guests.
How to apply
Before you apply
You must get permission from both your school and your parents or carers before applying.
- There are 18 places available for our week of Local Government work experience
- We will be reviewing applications and allocating positions upon successful submissions
- If we fill all the places before Friday 30 May 2025, applications will be closed
Get your applications to us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
When to apply
Applications are open now until Friday 30 May 2025.
Apply online
Complete a quick online application form to tell us why you should be on the programme.
This is an amazing opportunity, so don't miss out.
Successful applications
We'll contact you by Friday 6 June 2025 to let you know if you have a place on our programme.
You will need to make your own travel arrangements for the work experience. Some days will be at County Hall and some days will be at the Horizon Centre on Broadland Business Park. We will send you a timetable in advance.
Speak to your school's career advisor if you have any issues.
If you have any questions, you can contact the team at [email protected]
Information for parents/carers and teachers
This programme is taking an innovative approach to work experience. This is by offering an immersive, face to face opportunity for Year 10 students, over 5 consecutive days. Students will remain on site throughout the week, there will be no off-site visits.
The challenge takes place in a realistic, experiential world. This means that they will not meet real life residents and customers of the council. They will however, deal with fictional case studies that are very real life.
Students will have an opportunity to experience up to nine different service areas within a typical council. They will take on the duties connected to:
- Customer services
- Early help hubs
- Housing
- Planning
- Democratic services
- Environmental health
- Recycling
- Human resources
- Community development
As well as hearing about the great range of exciting early careers that are on offer at your local council.
The students will meet senior local government officers. Our officers will talk passionately about their experiences and why they love the career they chose. The students may also meet democratically elected councillors.
Encourage your child or student to apply for this exciting opportunity.
