Jobs

Frequently Asked Questions and Contact Details

Application

Can I apply for more than one scheme?
Yes! As long as you meet the criteria for the scheme you are applying for. We will require you to fill out the specific questions for each scheme when you apply to make sure you are right for it.

I do not have the permanent right to work in the UK. Am I able to apply?
Unfortunately it is a requirement of our graduate development programme that you are able to work in the UK permanently.

If I were successful - would I get to meet other new & also previous grad recruits?
We will actively support you in this! You will meet new and existing grads before you even start in September, and you will also be allocated a ‘buddy’ from one of the previous graduate schemes prior to starting in September, thus providing you with a good contact for any questions!

Induction

When would I start working with Hertfordshire County Council?
The current recruitment process is to fill vacancies starting with us in Autumn 2010.

What would happen in my first week?
Your first week will be spent on an induction programme with the other new graduates. The induction programme will introduce you to all of our Directors and the main services we offer as a County Council. You will also have a good opportunity to get to know your peers as well as some of the graduates from previous intakes. The period following this will introduce you to your first placement and your new team.

Will I get an opportunity to meet previous graduates?
You certainly will! You will meet some during the selection process and others at the Induction process. One of them will become your ‘buddy.’

Qualifications

When would I start my professional qualifications?
Your qualifications will start as soon as a new term begins - after you’ve joined us. We pay for your qualification but we also determine where you study as we have good relationships with the Universities we work with and know that the course will meet your needs with the County Council.

Working for HCC

What are the working hours?
The standard hours are 37 hours a week

What is the holiday entitlement?
You will be entitiled to at least 22 Days when you start your graduate training, and this will increase as your career progresses. You are also entitled to bank holidays as well as a concessionary day from HCC at Christmas!

Do you get study leave?
Each of the graduate training schemes give study leave as well as the time off if required to attend your sponsored qualification.

Work Base

Where will I be based?
We are mainly based at three sites in Hertfordshire: County Hall in Hertford, Farnham & Robertson House in Stevenage and Apsley 1 and 2 in Apsley.

I want to live in London, how easy is it to travel to Hertfordshire?
There are extremely good transport links: road and rail. A number of our graduate recruits choose to commute from London.

Are there parking facilities at work?
There are car parking facilities at all sites, and there are also good public transport links. HCC also operates a car share scheme.

What if I don’t drive?
There are good public transport links to our sites as well as a car share scheme.

Development & Support

Apart from the graduate training programme itself, what other sorts of development might I expect?
The development is very varied. You will also be studying, possibly working towards chartership, developing your leadership and other behavioural skills. You will learn about our political environment too.

If I’m working for you, how will I be reviewed?
If you are studying there will of course be exams and some form of continual assessment. In terms of your work, you will have regular performance reviews with your placement manager which will give you both an opportunity to discuss your performance and future development.

How might I expect my career to progress financially?
For each of the graduate schemes there is an associated Career Grade Scheme which assists you and your placement manager in assessing your competence and any associated financial progression.

Will I have a mentor/buddy?
You will have both! Your buddy will be allocated to you before you start at HCC so that you can ask questions ranging from ‘where’s nice to live’ to ‘is there any prep I can do for my studies?’

Your mentor will be a senior member of staff who will help you with your development throughout your training. You will also have regular 1:1’s with your placement line manager and in addition to this you will have support throughout your graduate programme from a Learning & Development placement coordinator.

After the Scheme

What happens at the end of the graduate training contract?
You will be well supported in your application for your first substantive post.

What positions have previous graduate recruits gone on to achieve?
We have previous graduates in various leadership positions - and not necessarily in the area they started their training. Our training schemes are specifically designed to develop you and progress you towards our senior positions. For example our Director of Adult Care Services started as a Financial Management Graduate Trainee.

Contact Us

I still have a question or require more information, where can I find it?
There are a couple of ways to get in touch with us:
1 Email us at graduate.recruitment@hertscc.gov.uk
2 Join our facebook page by searching for Hertfordshire Graduates. We have current graduates on it who are able to answer any specific questions you may have.