Workforce Development Intern

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 6,700 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Part-time options

Flexible working

Job summary

West Midlands Combined Authority is offering a 12-week Workforce Development Intern placement within the People and Culture team. You will support projects across emerging talent, leadership development and apprenticeships while gaining hands-on experience coordinating initiatives, analysing data and maintaining trackers.

You’ll work closely with partners and senior colleagues, developing the WMCA Academy and evaluating development programmes.

Qualifications

• University student seeking practical experience in People and Culture.
• No prior HR or workforce development experience required.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.

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 development requests inbox, log and progress requests.
• Assist apprenticeship levy tracking and maintain records.
• Help develop WMCA Academy, including learning management systems, content.
• Support evaluation of leadership programmes by data collection and analysis.
• Prepare workforce analysis for a skills repository.
• Produce documentation and handover information.
• Build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation.
• Participate in development, networking and mentoring during placement.

Skills

Curious

Organised

Keen to learn

Education

University student

Tools

Learning management systems

Job description

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.

Location.

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

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.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

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.

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).