Why apply for this programme

During this unique, 22 month programme you will:

• earn a competitive salary starting at £30,600 (subject to a potential pay award)
• develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of public service in Wales
• enhance your knowledge of the One Welsh Public Service Values and Leadership Behaviours
• work on innovative and exciting projects that will benefit people living in Wales
• experience a variety of real jobs across a range of organisations
• complete a tailored Masters qualification and participate in a development programme with Academi Wales
• enhance your learning through coaching and mentoring relationships
• have the opportunity to engage with leaders at the top level in the Welsh public service

You will get the rare experience of working across organisational boundaries and take advantage of our ‘All Wales’ approach. You will join a group of aspiring future leaders and take your first step towards a top level leadership role.

Once you complete the programme, we would encourage you to stay working in the public service in Wales for three years.

The opportunities are grouped into regions and you’ll choose one or more of these when you apply.

You will rotate and work at two or three different public service organisations during the 22 months. The organisations will be based within reasonable travel distance of each other (up to one hour). This will allow you to experience the ways of working and cultures of different organisations.

Participating organisations

The organisations that will participate in the programme have not yet been selected. We will share further details with you during the recruitment process.

How much travel you will do

You will be expected to travel to participating organisations. You will also need to attend meetings and events within your region. You will also need to travel to attend the Masters programme and the development programme.

You not will be expected to pay for the cost of this travel – it will be managed through the procedures in place to support the programme.

The organisations will work together during your 22 month programme to make it as simple as possible for you on each of your rotations. You will only rotate around organisations within your chosen region (not across the whole of Wales).

• North – Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Gwynedd
• West and Mid – Powys, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
• South East – Monmouthshire, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caerphilly, Newport, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent

You can choose one or more regions when you apply.

Deciding on which region/s to apply for

You should consider the areas of Wales and your travel and relocation options. Would you relocate if required? Can you travel from your current home to all areas within the region?

As you progress through the recruitment process, specific details of the organisations and locations will be shared with you.

Please note: relocation expenses are not available for this programme.

Changing regions during the recruitment process

You will not be able to change your region/s. It is important that you apply for region/s you wish to be considered for from the outset.

We are looking for people who are passionate about working in the public service in Wales, have the potential to develop, manage a challenging 22 month general management programme and make a real difference to the citizens of Wales.

The programme is open to everyone who meets our essential requirements. You can apply if you already work in the public service or if you want to join.

We are particularly keen to welcome and encourage applications from those currently unrepresented in our workforce, such as Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people.

Essential requirements

• GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above (or a higher qualification - see below)
• A 2.1 degree classification, or above, by September 2021
• The right to work in the UK
• Welsh language requirements may apply for some posts
• Nationality and immigration requirements apply to posts

Higher qualifications

To be eligible for the Programme you must have a 2.1 classification, or above, in any degree subject by September 2021 or one of the following higher qualifications -

Level 7

Level 7 qualifications are:

• integrated master’s degree, for example master of engineering (MEng)
• level 7 award
• level 7 certificate
• level 7 diploma
• level 7 NVQ
• master’s degree, for example master of arts (MA), master of science (MSc)
• postgraduate certificate
• postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
• postgraduate diploma

Level 8

Level 8 qualifications are:

• doctorate, for example doctor of philosophy (PhD or DPhil)
• level 8 award
• level 8 certificate
• level 8 diploma

Experience, skills and age

• The programme is designed to develop your management and leadership skills. If you have substantial management experience, then this programme is not for you and you should explore other development options
• Previous work experience in the public service is not essential. You will be assessed against the One Welsh Public Service Values and Leadership Behaviours
• There is no age limit

Welsh Language skills

• Applications are invited from Welsh or English speakers
• The levels of Welsh required for each post/region will vary
• It is important that you indicate your level of Welsh when you complete the application form

Advice for applicants with a disability

If you require reasonable adjustments to allow you to complete the assessment process, please let us know when you apply and we will arrange this for you.

Advice for current public service employees

If you already work in the public service, your organisation may agree to a secondment for the duration of the programme but this is not guaranteed and would need to be negotiated between your organisation and Welsh Government.

You will complete the Assessment process online.

Contact during the application process

If you are invited to take part in the next stage of the recruitment process, we will contact you by email, so make sure you check your inbox and your junk mail regularly.

Start date

You will start with your first organisation in January 2022.

Please note: you will not be able to defer entry onto the programme.

Salary

A competitive salary (year one: £30,600, year two: £32,540 (subject to performance and a potential pay award).

Your development will be supported throughout the programme by Academi Wales. We are the leadership department in Welsh Government and support leaders at all levels across the public service in Wales.

This Academi Wales development programme runs across your 22 month placement and you will be released from work so you can attend. To help you develop as a leader, you will attend a combination of workshops, key note speaker sessions and self reflection. We will help you understand the Well-being of Future Generations Act and you will share your experiences of how it’s being implemented across Wales.

This is an important part of your development during the programme and you will be required to attend.

How your progress will be measured

You will follow the Welsh Government Performance management process and will work with Academi Wales representatives, the graduate lead and line manager in your organisation. You will have clear objectives and use evidence to demonstrate how your work contributes to delivering your objectives.

You’ll study towards a fully-funded Masters. You must achieve this qualification to graduate from the programme.

You will be released from work to complete the taught modules of the Masters. You will study a series of modules linked to the leadership challenges facing the public service in Wales.

Applicants with a Masters level or higher academic qualification

Even if you already have a Masters level or higher academic qualification, you will still be required to complete the programme-specific Masters as this will provide the theory and knowledge to support your development as a public service leader.

How can I find out more about the One Welsh Public Service Values and Leadership Behaviours?

You can find detailed information about both of these on the Academi Wales website:

• One Welsh Public Service Values
• Leading in the Welsh Public Service - a leadership behaviours framework for senior leaders

What kind of job opportunities can I expect to have once I have completed the graduate programme?

After successfully completing the graduate programme, we’d encourage you to stay working in the public service in Wales for three years.

How long does the programme last?

The Programme will last for 22 months; however we’d encourage you to stay working in the public service in Wales for three years after the programme.

Do I have to be a fluent Welsh speaker to apply for the programme?

Applications are invited from Welsh or English speakers. The levels of Welsh required for each post/region will vary. It is important that you indicate your level of Welsh when you complete the application form.

I am not a Welsh graduate can I still apply?

Yes, this programme is open to everyone who meets the essential criteria.

Can I apply if I have a degree from another country?

We accept applications from candidates with overseas degrees, provided that you can supply evidence that your degree is at a comparable level to that required by the All Wales Public Service Graduate Programme. The onus (including any costs) of providing appropriate documentation is on the candidate.

The UK (ENIC) provides information about the comparability of different international qualifications. We would not normally ask for such evidence until you were declared successful: it would then be required for our pre-appointment checks.

What if I am offered a place and then fail to achieve a 2:1 classification in my degree?

You must achieve a 2:1 classification or above to be eligible to participate in the Programme. Any offer would be withdrawn if you do not achieve this.