We are proud to announce the success of the ‘Make a Difference, work for your local council’ campaign at the most recent Local Government Chronicle Workforce Awards (5th November 2024) winning the prize for “Best Innovation in Recruitment”.
In a hotly contested category, the collaborative nature and continuing partnerships of the North East local authorities were highlighted alongside the overall innovation and creation of a new brand for councils as reasons for being chosen as this years’ winner.
The award for this campaign has been a significant validation of the huge efforts from all parties who worked collaboratively, and also shows the future of the campaign is without limits as it now rolls out nationally.
NEREO would like to thank all parties who were involved in the design, development and roll out of the project, it could not have been achieved without everyone giving it their all and the 12 councils in the region giving it their full backing.
With a huge collaborative effort from the Local Government Association, all 12 North East councils, private sector partners and ourselves at North East Regional Employers Organisation, it highlights the strength of what the sector can achieve when we step forward as one.
We would also like to thank the judges for their recognition of the efforts made and the significant outcomes that were achieved.
Quotes from the day –
NEREO Chair, Councillor Ann McCoy, “I couldn’t be prouder of how this award has highlighted the wonderful collaboration achieved by the councils across the North East of England.
Alongside the efforts of NEREO, the twelve councils, the Local Government Association, and all involved, the collective work carried out in the region is now leading the way across the country and is testament to the close bonds and relationships between the local authorities in the area.”
NEREO, Digital Services Manager, Stephen McCurry, “Accepting this award on behalf of the many, many people who were involved is a real highlight in what has been a fantastic project to be part of. It is something we had long believed that needed to be done, to give a voice to the fantastic work carried out by the public sector as true leaders in working practice and innovation, and it is beyond wonderful that it has been recognised.
The cast of partners who worked on the project has been something we have not seen in a long time and special thanks must go the LGA and all the HR teams, marketing and media specialists in the councils.
That we got to develop and pilot it in the North East of England only further highlights the amazing co-operation and cross boundary working that this region carries out on a regular basis.
The campaign was able to increase applicants and visitors to council vacancies on www.northeastjobs.org.uk and is proof that what we set out to achieve had worked.
As the principles and tools developed will now go on to spread the good messages about councils around the country being amazing places to work is the icing on the cake.”
Notes –
LGC Workforce Awards
The LGC Workforce Awards are a chance to share best practice and achievements across the country with other public sector bodies. It features a range of categories each year which are judged by industry professionals across both public and private sector.
Best innovation in recruitment entry overview:
The Make a Difference campaign was a collaborative piece of work to spread a focus on the numerous positive reasons to consider working in Local Authorities with a focus on the North East of England. The campaign was the first of its kind to focus solely on Local Authorities and push them as an employer of choice by creating a Local Authority brand which can be tailored and used by any councils in promoting their vacancies and improving the public perception of the sector. This was a fresh and effective approach to the problems of recruitment in Local Authorities
Make a Difference Campaign
The Make a Difference, work for your local council campaign has now rolled out nationally and is accessible by all councils to use in championing recruitment across public sector, more details can be found on the dedicated website – https://www.localcounciljobs.gov.uk/
NEREO
NEREO are the regional employers’ organisation for the North East of England and work with all 12 Local Authorities in the area as well as thousands of other public sector bodies throughout the country. NEREO serves, represents and advises those we work with in the broad areas of Human Resources, Management Practice and Employee Relations.
North East Jobs
North East Jobs is a recruitment portal hosted by NEREO. It is the main location to find the thousands of jobs in the region’s councils, public sector bodies, local government organisations and schools since 2008, giving access to not only an advertising location that garners over 35 million views each year but also a class leading ATS for those wanting to manage their recruitment activities. Delivered for the public sector by the public sector it operates on the principles of Real Jobs, Real People, Real North East.
Any queries relating to the above can be directed to marketing@nereo.gov.uk
