Planning Apprentice
VARSITY TOWN PLANNING LIMITED
Buckinghamshire (MK18 2EX)
Closes in 16 days (Tuesday 6 May 2025)
Posted on 9 April 2025
Contents
Summary
Varsity Town Planning is recruiting for our next Planning Apprentice. The company was established in 2018 to meet the housing challenge across the Oxford to Cambridge Region and we now work on projects nationwide. Operating from a delightful office in a stunning rural location. Use of a private car is essential.
- Wage
-
£13,741 to £22,222.20, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Chartered town planner (degree) (level 7)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.
Working a blend of office and home based.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 October 2025
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
- Shadow other Town Planners at client and council meetings
- Monitor Local Plan timetables
- Assist with preparation of planning applications
- Conduct site visits
- Undertake desk-based research and data collection to support the production of planning documents
- Attend Local Authority committee meetings
- Research and prepare briefing notes
- Monitor third party planning applications
- Liaise with stakeholders and other consultancies
- Provide general support to the other Town Planners
- Carry out note taking and administrative duties as required
- Communication professionally with clients and Council Officers
- Provide support at public exhibitions
- Set aside at least 20% of the working week for training and studying
- Perform other duties that may be required from time to time
Where you’ll work
Rick Yard Barn A
Middle Claydon
Buckinghamshire
MK18 2EX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
Your training course
Chartered town planner (degree) (level 7)
Equal to master’s degree
Course contents
- Undertake research and analysis of information for planning policy formulation and to prepare material for policy, guidelines and advice. Typically this would include spatial development strategies and statutory development plans, development briefs, design guides, sustainability appraisal, materials for inquiry, advocacy or presentations in public or to councillors or clients.
- Implement policies and procedures set out in plans, legislation and related documents. Typically, this would include statutory development management, the preparation and submission of planning applications, implementation of plans or schemes for matters such as conservation, environmental improvement, economic development or regeneration, infrastructure, minerals or waste. Site appraisal, feasibility studies and other forms of study preparatory to the submission of a planning application. Planning enforcement, appeals and inquiries.
- Produce creative and innovative design strategies, policies and solutions. Typically, this would include buildings, public realm, landscaping, villages, towns, cities or other parts of the urban and rural environment.
- Collect data using appropriate systems and software, undertake investigations and research to inform quantitative and qualitative analysis and appraisal. Weigh evidence and evaluate alternative planning solutions. Make clear, integrated responses and evidence based decisions. Demonstrate sound judgement and the ability to balance varying objectives.
- Engage with and manage stakeholders and customers and build positive, relationships. Communicate, negotiate, advocate and mediate effectively and respond appropriately to resolve conflict.
- Define clear aims and objectives and deliver projects to time and to budget. Use appropriate information technology. Lead and manage a process from start to finish and evaluate the outcome identifying actions for improvement and development.
- Work in partnership. Network, create and maintain an environment where information is shared.
- Communicate clearly in writing and verbally. Negotiate and mediate. Work independently and as part of a team and lead others. Manage work and time. Customer and client care.
Your training plan
- Chartered town planner (degree) Apprenticeship Standard
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade C)
- Maths (grade C)
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
- Geography (grade B)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Self motivated
Other requirements
Must be able to work from home in a suitable environment for at least 2 days per week
About this company
Operating from a delightful office in a stunning rural location, we offer our private clients a quality service covering all of their town planning requirements. Use of a private car is essential and we are a dog-friendly office. We believe in a true work / life balance and offer genuinely flexible working arrangements with generous annual leave, a competitive salary and training opportunities.
http://www.varsitytownplanning.com (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Travel to university will be paid for Employee Assist Programme Company Pension Stunning rural location Dog friendly
After this apprenticeship
- Achieved Chartered Town Planning status
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
VARSITY TOWN PLANNING LIMITED
Shereen Chesaites
shereen@varsitytownplanning.com
07498 329509
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000314718.
Apply now
Closes in 16 days (Tuesday 6 May 2025)
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
Apply before 11.59pm on Tuesday 6th May 2025. Your application should comprise the following: CV Statement covering your interest in town planning (maximum 500 words) Send the above with a covering email to shereen@varsitytownplanning.com