The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has announced that the first degree-level apprenticeship to train Chartered Town Planners in England has been approved by the Government, with employers in England able to recruit candidates immediately to start the programme this autumn.
This is a new route into the profession that combines academic education with practical experience to equip future employees with vital skills as well as a degree. Existing graduates or employees with no planning qualifications may be eligible. There is strong interest for the scheme, with over 80 employers interested in employing apprentices and at least six universities working to offer the apprenticeship from this September.
Victoria Hills, RTPI Chief Executive, said:
“I am delighted that we can finally boost the training of planners that the country so desperately needs, and make this exciting profession accessible to many more people who might not have considered it before. The fact that we have successfully embedded our tried and tested route of assessment for Chartered membership in the degree apprenticeship testifies to the RTPI’s role and expertise in assessing professional competence, and is especially timely as we prepare to celebrate 60 years of our Royal Charter.”
Here at Planning & Design we are keeping a close eye on this new route into Planning as we have had a number of successful apprentices in the design team over the years and know how beneficial apprenticeships can be for both employer and employee.
