Minister committed to supporting Young Planners

Derek Mackay, Minister for Local Government and Planning (pictured left), signalled his backing for planners  in the early part of their careers by endorsing the Commitment of Support to Young Planners at the Scottish Young Planners Network (SYPN) Conference earlier this week (26 February).

The document outlines how the SYPN, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland and the Scottish Government are committed delivering high quality, positive planning, and supporting planners the early stages of their career.

Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: "Young Planners are our current and future decision makers, vision setters, ambassadors for the profession, and most importantly, our facilitators of change. I am impressed with the drive of the Scottish Young Planners Network and range and quality of activities that is delivers for its members, including events such as the conference."

Iram Mohammed, Chair of SYPN, said: "I welcome the Scottish Government and RTPI Scotland's Commitment to Young Planners. We appreciate that these are difficult times for employers but it is essential that we have a steady stream of young planners coming through the system for future years. It's our hope that other organisations in the built environment will join us and sign up to the Commitment in the coming months."

Dr Peter Geraghty, President of the RTPI, welcomed the initiative: "The more young planners I meet the more I am impressed by them.  Everyone in the profession should be extremely proud of the calibre of graduates it attracts. But we need to ensure that there are opportunities for young planners to enter planning so we don't have skills shortages in the future. I welcome the Commitment."

The full text is of the Commitment of Support to Young Planners is here.