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Town planning assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Town planning technician

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

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a town planning assistant

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

More Information

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

You may need:

  • 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

More Information

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Direct Application

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.

More Information

Career tips

You may have an advantage if you have experience in:

  • customer service
  • administration
  • computer-aided design (CAD)
  • construction
  • surveying

Further information

You can find out more about careers in town planning from The Royal Town Planning Institute.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice - Planning Technician

  • Wage: £9,254.44 Annually
  • Location: Western Way, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

T Level Construction - Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

  • Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Blackpool

T Level Construction - Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

  • Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Taunton
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