Graduate Opportunities in Local Government 2017

Nyx122

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Has anyone had luck sourcing reasonable accommodation for the training?

I got a b&b nearby as I was told there’s a maximum rate that would be paid & all the hotels over it

Sharon2017

Nyx122 wrote: »

I got a b&b nearby as I was told there’s a maximum rate that would be paid & all the hotels over it

Yeah I went a bit over budget with the hotel I eventually booked but at least I’ll be getting the majority back!

Nyx122

Sharon2017 wrote: »

Yeah I went a bit over budget with the hotel I eventually booked but at least I’ll be getting the majority back!

Yea I actually just did the same after I posted last time as reading bad trip advisor reviews on the other place so cancelled, have to pay a bit myself but worth the comfort. Dublin is so outrageous.

Jimbob1977

If you want a cheap room that's near Croke Park (walking), Gardener Street might be worth a look.

Caution: it will be hit or miss.

9Reeds

Training dates are staying the same 10th and 11th but they have changed the place to Havelock Suite in the Aviva Stadium. Don't know why.

Jimbob1977

9Reeds wrote: »

Training dates are staying the same 10th and 11th but they have changed the place to Havelock Suite in the Aviva Stadium. Don't know why.

Any idea of a dress code? Public Sector tends to be smart casual or business casual.... but it might be a suit day

Sharon2017

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

Any idea of a dress code? Public Sector tends to be smart casual or business casual.... but it might be a suit day

I was wondering the same myself. My best guess would be along the lines of smart casual. If you take a look at the training days from the last lot of graduates in 2014, here’s what they were wearing:

https://www.publicjobs.ie/restapi/documents/Local_Gov_Update.pdf

Sharon2017

9Reeds wrote: »

Training dates are staying the same 10th and 11th but they have changed the place to Havelock Suite in the Aviva Stadium. Don't know why.

Well that’s annoying after booking a hotel near Croke Park!

bubsicle

9Reeds wrote: »

Training dates are staying the same 10th and 11th but they have changed the place to Havelock Suite in the Aviva Stadium. Don't know why.

The Royals are visiting Dublin and are visiting croke park I think. So security would be a nightmare!!

Allatsea

Butlers Townhouse is not bad, its only a few euro above the accommadation allowance @€;140.00 (room only price) on hotel.com or ebookers.com. However, They do have a free small carpark (1st come, 1st served) for overnight guests. Its located only across the road from the Aviva Stadium. You can also use the meal rate towards your accommodation; for those that are eligible.

Sharon2017

Allatsea wrote: »

Butlers Townhouse is not bad, its only a few euro above the accommadation allowance @€;140.00 (room only price) on hotel.com or ebookers.com. However, They do have a free small carpark (1st come, 1st served) for overnight guests. Its located only across the road from the Aviva Stadium. You can also use the meal rate towards your accommodation; for those that are eligible.

The Clayton Hotel Ballsbrisge is within a kilometre of the stadium and within the LA room-rate limits.

Nyx122

Has the venue definitely been changed? Have obviously booked near Croke park also.. I haven’t been told (although not surprised with how this has all gone so far... )

Sharon2017

Nyx122 wrote: »

Has the venue definitely been changed? Have obviously booked near Croke park also.. I haven’t been told (although not surprised with how this has all gone so far... )

I’d suggest checking with your HR contact in the LA because it has indeed changed. I did have to ask my contact there and she reached out to the people organising it and shortly after confirmed the change of venue.

Jimbob1977

Induction during a heatwave... I hope the air conditioner at the Aviva is working at full throttle

Maybe we should identify ourselves as 'Boardsies' with a subtle signal.

Freemason handshakes are out, unfortunately.

Three pens in front of us..... blue, black, red? In a triangle

corvettenut

I like the pen triangle idea? Thinking post Day 1 Induction 'boardies' drinks ? Pint in Slattery's at 17:15? Maybe a subtle reference to 'going to Slattery's after' when introducing?

lukiluc

Due to start work monday. Finally got through to my LA hr rep. today, contracts are to be sent by courier. Phew, will have a place and time to start! See you at the training...

Nyx122

Just coming on here to ask about dress code etc & already answered..!

1 other question tho: does anyone know what the meal allowance is. I got sent documentation that mentions entitlement to it but doesn’t actually say how much.


And also yes to drinks.

As been working in private sector last 10 years I’m really not sure I would have got through this process without boards.ie to be honest.

Sharon2017

Nyx122 wrote: »

Just coming on here to ask about dress code etc & already answered..!

1 other question tho: does anyone know what the meal allowance is. I got sent documentation that mentions entitlement to it but doesn’t actually say how much.

Re meal allowance it’s €33.61 daily for me. I wonder does this include any allowance for the Monday evening or just the 2 days in Dublin. Probably not but may as well get receipts for everything just in case!

As for the dress code I’m thinking as it’s just classroom teaching without a council presence (aside from us!) and considering the heat expected, a full suit wouldn’t be necessary, just clothing that could be considered ‘smart’.

Jimbob1977

Has anyone received the Section 51 paperwork with their contract?

It's about declaring remuneration and pension benefits from public service bodies.

My question..... is the document asking about other pension entitlements already in place (previous jobs), or does our new job count as well?

I'm not sure if I should be sticking in 'N/A' or details of my new job.

Dress code for my local induction is smart business casual and not a suit, btw.

Daisy89

I’m getting the train up both days but I’ll definitely come for one ore two drinks to meet everyone in the a Tuesday, be great to put names to faces!

One of the graduates from last time round is still here in my LA and I asked him about the dress code and he said there was people wearing all sorts from tracksuit bottoms to jeans to suits so I’d say we can pretty much wear anything to the induction days!

corvettenut

Sound, sure we can loosely say Slattery's after the end of day on. I'll be the fella with the big brown leather 'man-bag' lol its a long trek up from the weshhht

Phoebeleft

I am going to miss all the cloak and dagger blue red black Biro triangle malarkey sadly. I'm not starting till July 30th and there's another training in August. Anybody here going to be at that one?

9Reeds

Does anyone know what time it starts on Tuesday. My LA don't know

Sharon2017

9Reeds wrote: »

Does anyone know what time it starts on Tuesday. My LA don't know

Yes 9.30!

lukiluc

Yes, 9:30 Havelock Suite. See you there!

Jimbob1977

Whatever you do, don't travel to Croke Park (unless you want to meet Prince Harry).

It's the Aviva Stadium... aka Lansdowne Road

Nyx122

Is it defo 9.30 guys? I got the itinerary from my la which says 9.30 but in her email she says be there for 9... yet another miscommunication hahaha

lukiluc

Yes, my handout says 9:30. See you there...

Jimbob1977

9.30am arrival for a 10am start

corvettenut

I don't see any Biro triangles lol, now let's see who checks their phone....

Daisy89

corvettenut wrote: »

I don't see any Biro triangles lol, now let's see who checks their phone....

We’ll have to have a meeting at the coffee area at break!!

bubsicle

There's not enough pens for a triangle!!

corvettenut

Sounds like a plan...

TheVoodoo

corvettenut wrote: »

Sounds like a plan...

Blue pen in left hand at coffee area

Jimbob1977

I'm down near the sign-up table

Triangle is built.

Blue shirt. 5ft 6. Black glasses

bubsicle

Slatterys at 4.20???

9Reeds

At the induction. I'm the awkward person asking all the questions.

bubsicle

9Reeds wrote: »

At the induction. I'm the awkward person asking all the questions.

In black dress and weird hair by sign-in desk

TheVoodoo

bubsicle wrote: »

In black dress and weird hair by sign-in desk

That’d leave me open to being booted if I went to the wrong person.

Hi, you’re the one with the weird hair right?

Jimbob1977

Day One on the new job is over.

Everyone was very nice and approachable.

I get the feeling that it's peak holiday season and it will be a slow burner for a while

Great to meet everyone at the Aviva.

Baby4

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Jimbob1977

I liked the induction. There was some very useful material covered.

I am a 'numbers' type of person, so the budgetary lecture was right up my street.

Yeah... I know the National Equalization Fund isn't Hollywood glitz, but I liked it

From watching Customer Services in action, there is an incredible breadth of services offered by each Council. From noisy neighbours to tourism.

Baby4

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Jimbob1977

How is everyone finding it?

Any positive experiences or horror stories so far?

Mine is ticking along nicely.

I think it will take a bit of time to establish my goals and objectives. It's a bit helter skelter at the moment.

Summertime is 'skeleton crew' staffing.

Nyx122

Hi all, just in the door and trying to get settled. wondering what your “titles” are- like for your email signatures for example? On the staff list I’m down as “local authority graduate” so I guess I’ll go by that but just wondering.

Daisy89

Nyx122 wrote: »

Hi all, just in the door and trying to get settled. wondering what your “titles” are- like for your email signatures for example? On the staff list I’m down as “local authority graduate” so I guess I’ll go by that but just wondering.

My title is “Graduate”

Nyx122

Also anyone have the email address we need to send our council email addresses onto?

Sharon2017

Nyx122 wrote: »

Hi all, just in the door and trying to get settled. wondering what your “titles” are- like for your email signatures for example? On the staff list I’m down as “local authority graduate” so I guess I’ll go by that but just wondering.

Graduates@lgma.ie

We’re all down as LGMA graduate in the directory but I wouldn’t be putting that in an email signature personally as it probably wouldn’t have the best connotations in terms of possibly leading to misunderstandings that we’re on some kind of internship or the likes! I have no title in my signature I just put in the name of my department and directorate. It’s not ideal and I wish there was a title other than ‘graduate’ but I’ve seen from internal emails that a lot of other people don’t even put their own titles in email signatures.

I’ll be in the door 2 weeks tomorrow and it seems like longer. Have been fierce busy, especially after week 1 have had loads of tasks sent my way!

Jimbob1977

I was told that we have to put 'Graduate' in our local authority.

tgdaly

First week out of the way. Bit of a slow build, they had me doing a lot of reading the first few days, don't think they knew what to do with me!! How's everyone else getting on? I know at the training days a girl went around getting numbers for people to set up a WhatsApp group for those in project and programme management, did that never happen after?