Recruiting top talent into local government comes with unique challenges. Discover how local government organisations can optimise their recruitment practices for the next generation of young job seekers.
1. Target enthusiastic talent
We surveyed over 5,000 young people for our annual Youth Voice Census. When asked about the most important qualities they look for in an employer, one of the top answers was that the employer does something they feel passionate about.
The benefits of the job are usually highlighted in job adverts, but showcasing what you do to make positive change in the local community and how they’ll help will set you apart.
Further reading: How to Write a Youth-Friendly Job Advert
2. Create the next generation of professionals
Another desirable quality in the top 3 is an employer who offers training and development opportunities. Whatever opportunity a young person might be looking for (e.g. apprenticeship, graduate scheme, entry-level), they’ll be looking for room to grow.
Developing and promoting early careers roles that have progression and structured mentoring will help you attract passionate young professionals who will bring fresh insight and ideas into your organisation.
Further reading: Creating a Mentoring Scheme in the Workplace: 6 Key Steps
3. Reflect the communities you serve
Diversity and inclusion are increasingly important priorities for employers and young people.
36% of respondents felt a good diversity and inclusion policy was an important quality and 27% wanted to see people like them working in the company. This was most important to those from the LGBTQ+ community and respondents who were ‘Asian or Asian British’ or of ‘Mixed or Multiple ethnicity’.
To ensure you’re reflecting the communities you serve, your diversity and inclusion policy and the way you present your organisation will be key.
Further reading: How to Demonstrate Your Early Careers Strategy is Inclusive
4. Make change with a clear strategy
In the Good Youth Employment Benchmark pilot, we heard that only 15% of employers had a youth employment strategy – a crucial aspect of any youth friendly organisation.
With suitable allocation of resources and a clear direction, the impact you have on your organisation and the young people in your community will grow.
An essential component of this will be to integrate youth voice and feedback into the design of your programmes and to measure the impact of your activities year on year to ensure it’s working for you and your young employees.
Don’t have a clear strategy yet? No problem!
The Good Youth Employment Benchmark tool allows you, as an employer, to measure and monitor your current youth employment practices, and get access to tailored information, advice and guidance to grow the quality of your early careers interactions and programmes.
It provides a unique and comprehensive system for you to understand what is working and how you can develop your practices to support young people with quality opportunities. By completing the Benchmark, you’ll also be entered into the Good Youth Employment Awards which are announced at our annual end-of-year symposium.
The Benchmark will open for submissions in January 2024 and is exclusive to Youth Employment UK Members only. To talk to our team and become a Member to enhance your strategy.
