A new scheme to support graduates into planning careers has been granted government funding, as announced by the Levelling Up Department.
The Local Government Association (LGA) is delivering the new Pathways to Planning Programme and has now received £1.59 million in funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. As part of the scheme, around 30 talented graduates will be granted placements in local councils, whilst also qualifying for a bursary to study a planning masters degree.
Over the course of two years, the scheme will be funded by the Levelling Up Department, with the LGA taking responsibility for setting up and delivering the plans to recruit diverse talent to councils. This will help them to ensure that the communities they serve are represented at council level, as well as providing new opportunities for those who might not have previously thought to work in planning.
Rachel Maclean, Minister for Housing and Planning, said:
“Delivering a modern and efficient planning system is vital in shaping our neighbourhoods and communities. We want to place the next generation of planners on the frontline to design beautiful homes and provide high quality infrastructure right across the country.
“We are bringing in ground-breaking reforms to speed up the planning process through the Levelling Up Bill, and it is essential that local councils are equipped with the right skills and resources as we continue to level up towns and cities that people are proud to call home.”
More than 150 planning bursaries have so far been funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with the last three years showing the department’s commitment to supporting more planning careers and aiding councils to recruit more talent.
Chairman of the Local Government Association, Cllr James Jamieson, added:
“We are incredibly excited to be delivering Pathways to Planning in collaboration with the Planning Advisory Service, with funding provided by DLUHC.
“With more than 20 years of experience bringing graduate talent into local authorities through the National Graduate Development Programme for local government, we are confident that Pathways to Planning can add exceptional value to local council planning teams from day one and build a talent pipeline for the future.”
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