Workforce Development Intern

WMJobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 1,800 - 2,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave (plus)

Healthcare plans

Discounted gym membership

Eye Care Scheme

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is offering a 12-week Workforce Development Intern placement within the People and Culture team. You will gain hands-on experience coordinating projects, analyzing information and supporting workforce development programmes in a hybrid office environment.

We welcome curious, organised entrants with GCSEs in English and Maths and a willingness to learn. You will work across emerging talent, leadership development and apprenticeships, with exposure to data

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills.
• Experience working as part of a team or in a collaborative setting.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Strong written and verbal communication; good analytical skills.
• Willingness to learn and take initiative.

Responsibilities

• Support Emerging Talent, succession planning and leadership development activity.
• Maintain programme dashboards, trackers and workforce data.
• Support vacancy mapping and stakeholder engagement for role guarantees.
• Manage the development requests inbox, including logging and progressing requests.
• Support apprenticeship levy tracking and maintaining accurate records.
• Help develop the WMCA Academy, including learning management systems, content, templates and guidance.
• Support the evaluation of leadership development programmes by collecting and analysing data.
• Prepare workforce analysis and information to support the development of a skills repository.
• Produce clear documentation and handover information.
• Build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Take part in development, networking and mentoring opportunities throughout the placement.

Skills

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Willingness to learn

Collaboration

Education

GCSE English and Maths 4/C or above

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),

We're looking for a motivated and organised Workforce Development Intern to join our People and Culture team for a 12-week placement.

The WMCA Intern Programme offers university students the opportunity to gain practical experience and build their skills in a professional environment, bridging the gap between academic study and the workplace.

You'll join the Workforce Development & Professions team, supporting a range of projects that help develop our people and build the workforce of the future. You'll work closely with Workforce Development Partners and senior colleagues across areas including emerging talent, succession planning, leadership development, apprenticeships and the WMCA Academy.

This is a varied role where you'll gain hands-on experience of coordinating projects, analysing information, maintaining data and trackers, communicating with stakeholders and supporting the delivery of workforce development programmes.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting Emerging Talent, succession planning and leadership development activity.
• Maintaining programme dashboards, trackers and workforce data.
• Supporting vacancy mapping and stakeholder engagement for role guarantees.
• Managing the development requests inbox, including logging and progressing requests.
• Supporting apprenticeship levy tracking and maintaining accurate records.
• Helping to develop the WMCA Academy, including learning management systems, content, templates and guidance.
• Supporting the evaluation of leadership development programmes by collecting and analysing data.
• Preparing workforce analysis and information to support the development of a skills repository.
• Producing clear documentation and handover information.
• Building positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Taking part in development, networking and mentoring opportunities throughout the placement.

What's Essential.

We're looking for someone who is curious, organised and keen to learn. You don't need previous HR or workforce development experience. We're interested in your potential and your ability to apply your skills in a professional environment.

You'll need:

• Experience of working as part of a team, gained through study, volunteering, employment or other relevant experience.
• Awareness of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Good analytical skills, with the ability to review information and identify an appropriate approach.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to manage your time and prioritise tasks.
• A willingness to learn, ask questions and take initiative.
• The ability to work collaboratively with others.
• The ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, combining remote and office-based working.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or equivalent, such as Level 2 Functional Skills.
• The ability to commit to the full 12-week internship programme.

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won't be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It's your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team ([e-mail]).

Salary And Benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• EV car benefit scheme
• Healthcare plans.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing, and mortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA.
• Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another - they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative - We work as one organisation. Together we build trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and residents to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven - We are focused on outcomes. We perform at our best to unlock productivity and delivery, achieving the greatest regional impact.
• Inclusive - We value difference. Creating an environment where people belong, and feel psychologically safe, so we can all thrive and shape a West Midlands built for everyone.
• Innovative - We are courageous. We embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo to continuously improve and shape the future of the West Midlands.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We're a Disability Confident Employer with 'Leader' status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).