Certificate in Local Council Administration

CiLCA is a practical, entry level qualification which tests whether you have a broad knowledge of all the aspects of a clerk's work – roles and responsibilities, the law, procedures, finance planning and community involvement. CiLCA forms part of the criteria for the council to exercise the General Power of Competence.

CiLCA is administered by the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).

Officers new to the sector are advised to take CiLCA after their first year in post. Registrations for 2025 are now closed and from 2026 onwards, all CilCA candidates must undertake compulsory training with a recognised CiLCA trainer who has gone through an accreditation process to be registered as such with SLCC. These recognised trainers are allocated a registration number, to ensure the quality of the CiLCA training they provide. You have one year to submit your portfolio from the date of submission.

For more information about CiLCA or to registervisit SLCC.

Alternatively, consider taking the Introduction to Local Council Administration ILCA This is a Level 2, online sector specific learning tool designed to support all new council officers in England and Wales in their roles in the first few months of employment, as well as those aspiring to go on and complete their Level 3 CiLCA qualification. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the work of a local council, the clerk and its councillors.

SLCC Educational Trust Grants

The SLCC Educational Trust was established to help improve access to education for those working within the local council sector, and considers grant applications every two months. The grant scheme is open to officers of local councils, principal authorities, and those working in other organisations that regularly interact with local councils. To find out more, or to apply for a grant, visit: www.slcceducationaltrust.org.uk