As part of National Careers Week earlier this month, Jazz Dhaliwal, Operations Manager at Opus, visited Rugby College alongside Rugby Borough Council to deliver an engaging session on the diverse career opportunities within local government.
After the event, we caught up with Jazz to discuss the importance of introducing students to public sector careers, combatting common misconceptions about local government roles, and how we are working alongside councils through our Future Forward campaign to build a sustainable workforce for the future.
What was the main message you wanted students to take away from your session at Rugby College?
The key message was that local government offers diverse and meaningful career opportunities that go far beyond what people typically expect. I wanted students to see that councils aren’t just about office jobs or frontline services, they are dynamic organisations that need people with skills in tech, sustainability, business, digital marketing, project management, and more. We also discussed how, in an AI-driven world, emotional intelligence (EI) is becoming a key differentiator, emphasising that soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability will be crucial for career success. Most importantly, I wanted them to understand that a career in local government means making a real difference in their communities.
What kinds of roles within local government do you think students were most interested in? Were students surprised by any of the roles available in local government?
Students were particularly interested in roles related to trades, childcare, sustainability, digital transformation, and community engagement, areas that align with their values and interests. Many were surprised to learn that councils need professionals in fields like graphic design, data analysis, and cyber security, as these aren’t typically associated with local government. The idea that they could work in a role they’re passionate about while also contributing to the public really resonated with them.
Why do you think it’s important to introduce young people to careers in local government at this stage in their education?
At this stage, students are forming their career aspirations and deciding on next steps, whether that’s university, apprenticeships, or employment. Local government isn’t always an obvious choice, so it’s important to raise awareness early and show them the variety of pathways available. By introducing these opportunities now, we can help them make informed decisions about their future and consider options they may not have otherwise explored.
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about working in local government that you aimed to challenge during your session?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that local government is slow-moving and old-fashioned. I wanted to show students that councils are actually leading the way in areas like digital innovation, sustainability, and community projects. Another misconception is that public sector jobs don’t offer career progression or competitive salaries. In reality, councils offer great training programs and leadership opportunities, making them a fantastic place to start and develop a career.
Why do you think young people often overlook careers in local government, and how can we change this?
Many young people don’t realise the sheer variety of roles available in local government, and there’s a perception that public sector jobs lack excitement or innovation. We can change this by making councils more visible in schools and colleges, sharing success stories of young professionals in the sector, and using social media to showcase the impact of local government work. Offering more graduate schemes, work experience placements, and apprenticeships would also make these careers feel more accessible.
In our session, we highlighted how temporary work through organisations like Opus can be a great way for students to gain experience, develop their emotional intelligence (EI) skills, and build confidence in real-world work environments.
How can colleges and councils work together to better promote public sector career pathways?
During our session at Rugby College, I was joined by a representative from Rugby Borough Council’s HR team, who are keen to support initiatives like this. This added real insight and gave students the chance to hear directly from someone in the sector.
In the long term, colleges and councils can collaborate by arranging more career talks, work experience opportunities and employer-led projects that give students hands-on experience within local government. Councils can also offer mentorship programs, where students can connect with professionals in different departments to learn about potential career paths. Additionally, local authorities could work with colleges to co-develop courses or workshops that align with the skills needed in the public sector. Encouraging temporary work placements, particularly in council settings, can help students develop key employability skills while gaining exposure to public sector careers.
To support our work connecting young people with roles in local councils, we launched our Future Forward campaign in January. This campaign aims to help local governments build a sustainable workforce for the future. Collaborating closely with our local authority partners is a key part of what we do, ensuring that we not only meet their current staffing needs but also invest in the next generation of public sector talent.
Find out more about our Future Forward campaign here.
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