What Our Staff Say
Helen McPhail, 20, Blyth Valley Borough Council, Apprentice Horticulturist
“I started with Blyth Valley District Council in September as an Apprentice in Horticulture. It is not something I had ever thought about pursuing but I had seen the vacancy advertised in the local press and once I received an information pack about the job I thought it might suit me. I applied and got the job!
“I work in Ridley Park, Blyth. My day to day duties are planting, using different lawn mowers, edging grass and generally maintaining the upkeep of the park.
“It is a three-year apprenticeship. I attend Kirkley Hall College, in Northumberland, one day a week to study horticulture, where you learn about different machinery, plants, shrubs and everything to do with gardening. At the end of this I will be qualified to NVQ I & II and can then go on to do level III.
“The park itself is a really pleasant area to work. Working outdoors is great. My Manager is really supportive and I have learnt such a lot in a short space of time. It is definitely a career I want to pursue.”
Mark Hopper, aged 22, is a Housing Administration Assistant for City of Durham Council
"I carry out tasks for the housing department. My role is to keep the allocation database up to date with new applications that come in, update records as and when needed, create rent cards and send to tenants and deal with various enquiries from tenants and members of the public.
"I like the variety of tasks I carry out ranging from housing queries to election matters. I get to see how other sections operate as we support various other arms of the council.
"I'm picking up a good understanding of the authority at a young age that will hold me in good stead for the future.
"I would definitely recommend a career in Local Government."
Simon Green, aged 20, is a Personnel Assistant at Northumberland County Council
"I carry out personnel and administrative work that includes identification and Criminal Records Burueau checks. I issue contracts of employment and deal with pension queries.
"I was on a Modern Apprenticeship for over a year and the opportunity arose for a permanent position for which my line manager at the time actively pursued on my behalf.
"I like the fact that the work is varied, and it gives me job satisfaction to know that what I do makes a difference.
"It is great to have benefits like flexi-time, a regular salary, working for a large and established organisation, pension scheme, extensive on the job training and generous holiday entitlement."
Helen Carlton, 26, is a Countryside Ranger for Gateshead Council
"My job is to make sites accessible and safe for visitors and carry out conservation work for wildlife.
"I work at Thornley Woodland Centre, near Rowlands Gill, and I see Red Kites, Roe Deer, badgers and dozens of squirrels every day.
"I did an environmental biology degree at Newcastle University. Most of my uni mates have ended up going into jobs in industry but I wanted to have a job where I was out and about.
"It is great to have an active job that involves being in the great outdoors. I get a buzz when I point out wildlife to visitors to Thornley and enhance their enjoyment of the day.
"There are a few more boring aspects of the job, for example we have to do some litter picking and write reports.
"We tend to do a lot of weekend work because that is when most visitors come, but I get time off during the week to compensate.
"I've wanted to be a countryside ranger since I was four or five when I used to come to the junior nature club at Thornley. It is great to be following my dream career."
Dan Jackson, 27, is a Management Trainee on the National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government.
As part of the programme, he is currently a Policy and Planning Officer in Children's Services at South Tyneside Council.
“Being a graduate trainee is fantastic as it allows you to move around departments in the Council, gaining real experience and developing the essential skills required to progress your career.
“This sits alongside a Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Management from Warwick Business School which means that you get time out from work to study while sharing experiences with other graduate trainees from around the country.
“Starting in the corporate centre gave me a great overview of the Council and how all the different services contribute to the same goals. And now, working in Children's Services means I get to work alongside front-line professionals and see the impact that we can make on people's lives.
“As a graduate there are some excellent opportunities to progress in local government, and being on the scheme allows me greater access to senior management and I'm lucky enough to have regular one on ones with our Chief Executive.
“Local Government is a very stimulating environment. Because we deal with just about everything, every day is different.”
Gill Lawson aged 27, Human Resources Officer for Hartlepool Borough Council
“My role is varied and involves carrying out Disciplinary, Grievance and Capability investigations in conjunction with the Council’s procedures. I also help in the recruitment of potential employees to the Council.
“Being from the town has given me the drive and enthusiasm to working towards a better Hartlepool, and seeing the difference my work can make to achieve in this.
“I have continued to receive support and guidance from those around me in an experienced environment which has allowed me to progress from a Modern Apprentice to successfully being appointed to a Human Resource Officer three years ago.
“Hartlepool Borough Council is an employer that offers a wide range of benefits to their employees such as flexible working and an excellent pension scheme, and I would recommend working for councils to anyone of any age looking to further their career.”
Mark Prendergast, 22, Newcastle City Council, Tree Surgeon
“I work as part of Newcastle City Council's Arboricultural Team, nicknamed "the tree squad".
"I love working outside, particularly on a sunny day when you can see for miles."
"My job involves climbing and pruning trees to prevent them from causing a problem or becoming a hazard.
"We respond to phone calls from the public and from the city council's two tree inspectors.
"I found tree climbing with ropes pretty daunting at first, but I knew I wasn't scared of heights. Now I prefer being up in the branches rather than on the ground.
"I love working outside, particularly on a sunny day when you can see for miles. I pruned a tree in Gosforth, Newcastle, recently and could see right across the racecourse.
"But in the middle of winter when it's really windy and the sawdust from the chainsaw is blowing in your face and the tree is swaying all over, it isn't so good.
"I enjoy working closely with local universities to help identify tree diseases and fungus.
“We can then advise residents on what the problem is and hopefully, help allay any fears."
Toni Brocklesby, 20, is a Cadet Social Worker for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
"I like visiting families in need, particularly when I know I can make a difference by helping to alter their current living situation or with any difficulties they might be experiencing."
"My job involves completing placements within social services. The placements help me to build up a wide range of experience and knowledge from different professionals. They have also helped me to complete an NVQ and contributed to my degree in social work.
"I like visiting families in need, although I sometimes have to deal with difficult and uncomfortable situations on cases.
"I want to complete my degree in social work and become a full-time children and families social worker."
Liam Foster, 22, is an Apprentice Civil Engineer for Sunderland City Council
"The job's main attraction is the opportunity to progress towards a rewarding career, including the chance to earn sought after professional qualifications.”
"From day one I've been made to feel welcome and treated as an equal. I shadow and assist the principal and senior staff, picking up on the valuable techniques and methods they use. I also get to travel around Sunderland visiting various sites including football pitches, play areas and local nature reserves.
"Being Sunderland born and bred, the main source of job satisfaction is the fact that I work on schemes and projects that improve the city where I live.
"A career in local government is highly sought after and I would recommend it to anyone."
Victoria Taylor, 23, is a Senior Library Assistant for North Tyneside Council
"Throughout my career in libraries there have always been plenty of new skills to discover and opportunities to take. It’s a constant learning curve."
"The day to day running of a branch library is quite demanding, mentally and physically, especially with all of the new services we offer. The work involves much more than just shelving books, which is the usual assumption.
"Libraries are busy and lively environments now, and they are currently adapting to the modern needs of their customers. It is an exciting time for the staff as we are able to broaden our knowledge and services.
"At the moment I'm Involved in a number of projects ranging from after school clubs, parent and baby sessions, to reading groups, promotions and in-house training for qualifications. No two days are ever the same."
