LGA Pathways to Planning Programme - Graduate Trainee Planner

Pathways to Planning is a graduate programme, which aims to discover graduates from all degree backgrounds, with a passion for helping communities, to become local government planners.

What is the role?

Employed on a minimum two-year fixed-term contract, you will work for a council and gain varied work experience across different specialties within planning departments. You will be mentored by more senior members of staff within the planning department and supported through an introduction to planning course provided by the Pathways to Planning team.

Graduates will undertake a fully funded master’s in planning through a master’s course or level 7 apprenticeship, with the support of their employing council. Once graduates have finished their postgraduate study, they are on track to become fully accredited planners and then able to progress into more senior roles. Council planning teams have excellent career progression routes, and a vested interest in seeing their Pathways graduates succeed.

Where will I be based?

The scheme works with local councils across England and Wales, who will hire graduates as part of the programme and support their career development as accredited planning professionals.

As councils continue to sign up, find the most up-to-date list of partner councils at https://www.local.gov.uk/pathways-to-planning/where-could-i-work alongside a list of cohort 1 and 2 partner councils.

Why should you apply?

• MA or MSc in Planning (fully funded, study part-time over two years) through a master’s course or level 7 apprenticeship
• £24-35,000 salary (including London weighting if applicable)
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Flexible working arrangements
• On-the-job mentoring
• Paid time off work to study (usually one day a week)

How do you apply?

Pathways to Planning recruits graduates from all backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines, with a 2.1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) by Summer 2025.

All you need

• A minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree by August 2025.
• This programme is not suitable for graduates who already have a master's degree in planning, or substantive work experience in planning, as it aims to expand the talent pipeline of graduates entering the planning profession rather than upskill those already on a career journey in planning.

Applications are open now, click apply to submit your application today!