Town planner

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You'll need a degree or a postgraduate qualification accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Subjects include:

• planning, environment and development
• city and regional planning
• urban planning and property development

You can do postgraduate qualification in planning if you have a degree in an unrelated subject.

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a chartered town planner degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could qualify while working as a planning technician or other support role.

You'll need the backing of your employer and you'll combine practical experience with part-time or distance learning study towards an accredited planning qualification.

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get as much work experience as possible. This will give you a better understanding of the career, and the contacts you make may help you to find paid work.

You can search for companies listed by the Royal Town Planning Institute or contact your local council to ask about opportunities.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of geography
• the ability to work well with others
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• persistence and determination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• business management skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• customer service skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• active listening skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of systems analysis and development
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Town planners help shape the way towns and cities develop, and balance the demands on land with the needs of the community.

You may work on projects to:

• assess the effect of new rail links or roads
• plan for houses and renewable energy generation sites like wind farms
• redesign urban spaces and develop parks, woodlands and waterways in a sustainable way
• conserve old buildings and archaeological sites

You could:

• develop local or national planning policies for government
• prepare and make decisions about planning applications, plans and proposals
• advise the public and business professionals on planning rules, regulations and policy
• research and assess technical information, data and surveys
• visit sites and attend planning inquiries
• write reports for politicians, developers and the public

Location : You could work in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £45,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience, you could apply for chartered town planner status, and then become a planner or senior planner. With at least 10 years' experience you could become a senior manager or planning consultant. You could work as a self-employed consultant.

You could also move into environmental management, urban regeneration, recreation management and property development.