Aimed at ambitious individuals who aspire to be future Managers and Executive Officers in the public sector, our Development Schemes allow you to get involved with projects that make a real difference to the way our island is run whilst developing the skills and experience needed for a successful career with the States of Guernsey.
Officers undertake a number of 6 to 12 month placements, with the ultimate aim of gaining an understanding and knowledge of the organisation. Placements provide experience of the 'business as usual' environment, customer service, project management, change management, strategy and policy, team working and leadership. Placements are supplemented by organisation-wide team projects such as delivering high profile events like the States of Guernsey's stand at the Careers Fair.
The schemes have a tailored training programme aimed at developing a variety of new skills. This programme changes regularly to accommodate the needs of the Officers, their placement and the wider organisation.
The following schemes are available:
Trainee Executive Scheme
- Initially suited to school leavers or applicants with works experience looking to develop their career
- 3 years in length
- 3 A-Levels at grades A to C or equivalent qualification (e.g. a BTEC National Diploma with Distinction or International Baccalaureate Diploma)
Graduate Officer Scheme
- We welcome applications from both recent graduates and applicants with post graduate works experience
- 3 years in length
- 2:1 degree or higher (or equivalent) Applicants with a 2:2 degree and a strong application will also be considered
Finance Scheme
- Open to all
- 4 years
- Minimum of 3 A-Levels grades A to C (or equivalent)
Here is what some of our previous and current Development Scheme Officers have said:
Sarah Robinson
- Sarah works as Operations Manager for Guernsey Waste. She joined the Trainee Executive Scheme at 18 after hearing about it through the careers service at the Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre.
- Like many school leavers, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do when she left school, and was nervous about committing to a specific career.
- 'The scheme offered me the opportunity to explore a variety of areas and roles without a long-term commitment whilst developing various skills. I could find out what I did and didn't enjoy. You work for most of your adult life, it was important to me that I ended up in a career I would enjoy,' she said.
- Sarah's first year was in Human Resources under the Policy Council, responsible for receiving job applications, arranging interviews and assisting HR Officers with their day to day duties. From there, she moved to the Project Management Office as Project Support Worker (PSO) for the Financial Transformation Programme under the Treasury & Resources Department. At the end of this placement, a contract role came up as a PSO which she applied for, and was appointed to, for a further year.
- 'I had the opportunity to project manage a number of mini-projects which further developed my skills and training.'
- When the Financial Transformation Programme came to a close, she applied for a role under the Public Services Department as a Project Support Officer for the Waste Strategy. A year in, a development opportunity came up to become the manager for Guernsey Waste. At that time, this was a newly formed Trading Asset, managing the Island's waste and recycling services.
- Sarah has now been in this role for several years, and said it would not have been an area she would have considered if it hadn't been for the scheme.
- 'I enjoy seeing what goes on behind the scenes, and being part of the team that implemented the Waste Strategy, including when the new processing facilities at Longue Hougue came into operation.'
- Sarah said taking part in the scheme had changed her view of the States of Guernsey as an organisation.
- 'I thought everyone sat at a desk all day doing the same job day in day out. How I was wrong! The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, and the operations you get exposed to, that impact the daily lives of everyone on the Island is fascinating. No two days are the same and you can really see how your work impacts the Island and sometimes further afield. It gives you a strong sense of community and pride for your Island.
Ed Chauvel
- Ed is a former St Mary and St Michael and Les Beaucamps High School pupil, who studied International Relations and French Language at Portsmouth University (with a year abroad at l'Institut d'études politiques de Strasbourg) and is currently studying a part time Masters in Public Policy at the University of Bath.
- He heard about the States of Guernsey programme from friends and family.
- 'It appealed to me as it offered a great opportunity to gain experience in a number of different areas across the organisation. Being from Guernsey, the chance to participate in interesting work that has an effect on how things work on the Island was also something that appealed.'
- To date, Ed has been on two placements. The first was with the Projects Team at the Royal Court and second and current placement is in the Finance Sector Development Team at the Committee for Economic Development.
- 'Both placements although very different in the type of work carried out have been rewarding and challenging in different ways.'
- He said being privy to the Committee meetings at Economic Development and the States Assembly Constitution Committee and seeing first-hand how decisions were made, had been a great experience.
- 'I have also really enjoyed carrying out a range of research projects, as well as working with a variety of people across the roles.'
- Ed said he was constantly surprised to discover how many senior civil servants had gone through the graduate officers/trainee executive programmes, and it was interesting to hear their experiences.
- 'Before joining the scheme I was unaware of the range of processes that are required and how broad the type of work within the different Committees is.'
- He said he would highly recommend the programme to anyone who was thinking about applying.
- 'The graduate programme allows you to meet new people and explore different roles that can help you to develop an understanding of what kind of role you are suited to.
Chloe Falla
- The former Forest Primary, Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre and University of Sussex graduate read about the opportunity via the States of Guernsey's website, gov.gg. She applied because she thought it was a great opportunity to move around the organisation and find the area most suited to her.
- Chloe's first placement was in Human Resources - People Transformation, an area she was interested in working in. She said she was enjoying meeting new people and getting involved in scheme activities, including the wellbeing project.
- 'It has been surprising to me, how complex the organisation and its workforce are, and the huge number and variety of projects to get involved in.
- 'I get the opportunity to work on a diverse range of people-related projects and meet lots of different people in the process.'
- Chloe said taking part in the Scheme had change her view of the States of Guernsey as an organisation, and urged anyone thinking about applying to not hesitate.
Jade Corbin
- Jade is a former pupil of La Houguette Primary School, La Mare de Carteret Secondary School, and the Grammar School Sixth Form Centre, who went on to study for a BSc in Psychology at Edge Hill University.
- She heard about the Scheme through the gov.gg website.
- 'I was looking for a career change but was unsure of exactly what type of role I would like to pursue. The Graduate Officer Scheme sounded like the perfect way to experience working for the States of Guernsey where I knew there would be a variety of opportunities available to me.'
- After completing her internship in the Change and Transformation Team, Jade was then appointed as a Project Support Officer.
- She says her best experience from the scheme was a group task to organise the Careers Show, and it was great to work with other Trainee Executives and Graduate Officers.
- Jade has been surprised to discover that working in Projects and Programmes gives the opportunity to learn about every corner of the organisation and to understand a variety of service areas in detail. She says this has really increased her confidence and enabled her to build positive professional relationships.
- Jade says working for the government and the island brings fantastic job satisfaction and she encourages people to apply for the scheme.
- 'The support received from the scheme and all colleagues who work in Programmes and Projects is second to none. You will get to experience working with a variety of service areas which will stand you in great stead for your future career.'
Billy Hunt
- Graduate Officer Billy attended Amherst Primary and Elizabeth College, before going on to study for his degree at the London School of Economics.
- 'I realised at university that I wanted to do something relating to politics, and the appeal of the scheme was the variety that you get from moving placements and getting a range of experiences.'
- Billy also felt that the scheme offered a supportive environment in which to develop, and granted the opportunity to tailor the experience to his own aspirations and interests.
- 'The highlights so far have been being able to listen in on meetings with UK Cabinet ministers about Brexit, listening to the States debate a Policy Letter that I had written, and helping to count the votes at the first Island-wide election.'
- To date, Billy has completed placements in External Relations, Strategy and Policy, and Education Policy. He says he has been given many opportunities to take the lead on projects and that it feels like he has been able to make a real difference to island life.
- One of the most surprising things that Billy learnt during the scheme was during his time in External Relations, where he discovered that Guernsey and Costa Rica have a strong historical relationship due to William Le Lacheur, the Guernsey sea captain who established a direct regular trade route for Costa Rican coffee growers to the European market.
- Participating in the scheme has changed Billy's perception of the States and he now appreciates the challenges of operating as both a 'national' and 'local' government. He has also discovered the full range of services the States provides and how many touchpoints it has with islanders.
- Billy recommends applying for the Graduate Officer Scheme for the variety of challenging but fulfilling experiences on offer.
If you are interested in applying for one of our Development Schemes it is recommended that you contact Sophie Creed, HR Advisor (Sophie.Creed@gov.gg) to discuss the role and the application process.
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