Town planning assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You can do a degree accredited by The Royal Town Planning Institute before applying for a job as an assistant.

Subjects include:

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

Entry requirements:

College

You can take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job, which may help when applying for a trainee position. Relevant courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
• Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a town planning assistant higher apprenticeship.

This typically takes 24 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.

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

DirectApplication

You'll usually need GCSEs and A levels in subjects like geography, graphic design, business studies, English, environmental studies or economics to apply directly for jobs. Some employers may ask for a degree.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

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

What you'll do:

Town planning assistants process applications, give advice about regulations and carry out design work and office administration.

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

• prepare reports for internal and external publications
• record minutes at meetings
• build and manage technical libraries, filing systems and databases
• draw up plans using computer aided design software
• carry out data surveys, like traffic impact assessments
• supply information and data to planners for applications
• record the progress and outcomes of planning applications
• organise public meetings
• answer enquiries about application procedure

Location : You could work in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £32,000

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 progress to team leader or move up to technician level. With further study, you could become a fully qualified town planner.

You could also set up your own business and offer consultancy in areas like planning law and sustainable design.