What does the programme involve?
The Return to Work – ICT programme will provide candidates with training, support and coaching to return to work after a career break and join local government.
The programme is divided into two core sections virtual training and connecting with employers.
1.Virtual training
The training for the Return to Work – ICT programme will be completed with Socitm. Socitm was established more than 30 years ago to focus on how digital strategies and innovation can be used to positively impact the lives of service users.
They bring people together to share experiences, best practice, and learning, as they believe the best outcomes for the public sector can only be achieved through collaboration and sharing excellence.
For the Return to Work – ICT programme, they will build upon their established management and leadership programmes to provide you with extensive and holistic training, enabling you to feel confident about getting back into professional life.
Their unique modules will be delivered online, giving you the flexibility to complete the training from your home. Their training will support you to develop your:
- knowledge of local government and how the technology and digital services of the public sector can play a pivotal role in improving local communities
- technical skills; provided via a learner suite with the following, optional learning areas:
- IT support
- software development
- data analysis
- IT administration
- project management
- information management
- enterprise/technical/solution architecture
- security specialist and security architecture.
- self-awareness; using the PRISM profiling tool to identify your behavioural preferences and inform your one to one coaching sessions
- professional brand
- interview techniques, so you can build your confidence and feel ready to re-enter the workplace
Each learning pathway can take a maximum of four weeks and is a blend of facilitated and self-paced learning so you can complete your training around your commitments.
Taking part in this programme also gives you the opportunity to join Soctim’s network of digital leaders for free, which offers support and opportunities for talented professionals.
- Connecting with employers
While you are completing your online training with Socitm, the LGA will invite you to an online platform where you can describe your skills and experience.
Prospective employers in local government will then be invited to review your credentials and get in touch with you to discuss employment opportunities. We cannot guarantee employment, but we are pleased to offer you a way to connect with councils who are eager to work with returning ICT professionals.
What are the benefits of participating in the programme?
- Refresh your skills
If you have been out of the ICT profession for a while, you may not be aware of the latest developments in the sector. This programme can help you to refresh your skills and knowledge so you can hit the ground running on your first day back at work.
- Understand local government
If you are joining local government from the private sector, you will find this element of the training particularly beneficial.
ICT operates differently in local government, with the work requiring collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. It also involves working within democratic processes, ensuring that decisions consider the social, economic and environmental impacts across an area.
Gaining insight into local government operations will support your transition from the private sector to the public sector.
If you have experience of working for a council in ICT, this will help you get up to speed with how processes might have changed.
- Understand the various ICT projects delivered by councils
The ICT profession in local government is diverse, allowing individuals to use their skills within a variety of projects to improve the customer experience. These projects include:
- joining up support systems
- providing the mechanisms for teams to provide remote/virtual consultations and care
- supporting economic regeneration
- supporting the green/environmental agenda.
In every project you undertake, you will be at the forefront of shaping the places where you live and supporting the COVID-19 recovery.
- Connect with local government employers
You will get the opportunity to share your skills and experience with councils that have vacancies in their ICT teams.
As our programme is nation-wide, signing up can help you gain exposure with councils across England. With the impact of COVID-19, some councils may be interested in discussing remote working opportunities.
- Build a network with other returners
Returning to work after a period away can be daunting. By providing you with online workshops, you will get the chance to interact and build networks with other professionals returning to work.