Year 10 Work Experience - One Week - July 2026

About this opportunity

In local government, elected councillors and employed officers are responsible for delivering local public services. The councillors (politicians) are chosen by local people to represent their communities through the process of local elections – where everyone over the age of 18 gets the opportunity to vote for who they would like to represent them. The current national government has indicated that it would like to give the right to vote to those aged 16 and above, so you may well get your chance to cast a vote at the next set of elections! 

These elected councillors then make decisions about local services and priorities. The decision-making process is carried out through a series of committees where democratic decisions are made. The officers of the council (employees) are instrumental in ensuring that those decisions and services are delivered. 

By undertaking work experience at Mid Devon District Council, you will have the opportunity to experience some of the work of our various in-house departments, which could include Communications, Democratic Services, Development Management (Planning), Finance, Leisure, Mid Devon Housing (inc Building Services), Public Health & Housing Options, and Street Scene.  We will endeavour to accommodate your preferences by matching you with your own choice of service area. We want to achieve maximum value for you and for the Council during your placement. 

Work experience can give you valuable insight into working at a Council and what future opportunities may be of interest to you.  For example, you may learn a bit about what we do and discover that a particular topic is of interest in pursuing further once you’ve completed your education, or you may be interested in apprenticeship opportunities with the Council.  A high proportion of our apprentices (approximately 90%) end up becoming employees, and we are proud of being a significant local employer within the local community.

Other career opportunities can range from being a lifeguard or gym instructor, to an accountant, a planning officer, IT specialist, a comms officer, solicitor, or a HR advisor.

It is hoped that by the end of your placement you will have gained a better understanding of how council services operate, while enhancing your self-confidence and skillsets through work experience.  This work experience opportunity is unpaid.

Why local government?

• Good opportunities for career progression, growth, and development.
• Help gain diverse practical skills in a range of areas, build valuable local networks, and explore potential career paths in the public sector.
• Contribute to the local community and make a difference to people’s lives.
• Training opportunities.
• Benefits such as the local government pension scheme.

 And why Mid Devon District Council?  Benefits for employees at the Council include:

• Discounted leisure membership
• Hybrid working (in most areas)
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training opportunities
• Health & Wellbeing support (e.g. Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health Champions)

How to apply

Submit your expression of interest by clicking on the link below. 

Once the closing date of the advert (11/02/2026) has passed, all completed forms will be collated and sent to the manager for the area you have stated interest in, they will then be in contact to let you know the outcome. 

If you do not hear back by 27/02/2026, your expression of interest is not being taken forward.  

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity please contact peopleservices@middevon.gov.uk

Link: Work Experience - Expression of Interest – Fill in form