Graduate and trainee schemes

We work in partnership with the LGA (Local Government Association) to recruit graduates who can be the next generation of managers.

During your time with us, you will: 

• work across a number of Council departments and projects
• gain a wide range of experience and knowledge to equip you to succeed
• progress your career within a local authority environment

Please be sure to read our article “NMT Experiences” outlining the experiences of graduates on the NGDP scheme in Sutton. We also welcome candidates who want to have a chat by email or phone call about what it is like to be an NMT in Sutton.

We are hosting a virtual Q and A session, for those unable to attend the Insight Day or who have further questions. This will be from 15:00 - 16:30 on Tuesday 23th April 2024. 

Our services

We have supported the NGDP for 15 cohorts since 2009. We share a number of our Services with Kingston Council, including ICT, HR, Environmental Services, Customer Services and Finance. Staff in these services therefore may work across both sites at times. Kingston’s offices are located in Kingston Town Centre (Guildhall 2, High Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1EU). Sutton is responsible for delivering many services including: adults / children’s social services & safeguarding, public health & libraries, highways & road maintenance, housing & regeneration, recycling & sustainability, and town planning.

Our achievements

In 2022, our council won the ‘Workforce Transformation’ award at the MJ Achievement Awards for local authorities, to recognise our council’s hard work in developing and delivering Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. 

In 2023, together with the Royal Borough of Kingston, our Shared HR and OD service won Best Inclusion and Diversity Programme 2023, awarded by the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA).

In 2024, our council has been shortlisted for the LGC Net Zero Award for delivering innovative green tax incentives for local businesses.

We are also a Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer organisation. 

Our future

There is much for Sutton to be proud of both as a council and as a borough. This includes high levels of resident satisfaction, the involvement and engagement of residents in key issues facing the borough and the enthusiastic and motivated staff that the authority has. 

Looking ahead, there are plans for the delivery of new homes and new schools and the London Cancer Hub is being developed, alongside Sutton Town Centre regeneration programmes.  

All of this demonstrates a good track record and an authority that is ambitious and wants things to get even better. The Council set out its vision for the future of Sutton in its corporate plan - Ambitious for Sutton. This strategic plan will shape the outcomes we achieve, the services we provide, and the impact we have on residents, to make Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Salary 

The starting salary for an NMT joining our council will be £33,957 per annum.

How to Apply

The scheme is organised nationally. You can find out more and apply on the National Graduate Development Programme website. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview (on-site or virtual) combined with an opportunity to meet our Chief Executive and other key officers.

Key Contacts

Recruitment on  recruitment@sutton.gov.uk