Newcastle University

School of Architecture Planning and Landscape

By the end of last month (June 2011), 17 Town Planning BA Graduates successfully secured Year Out placements with a range of employers in the private, public sector and with ‘other’ organisations (including Transport for London, the North East Civic Trust and Surfers against Sewage).  However, there still remains a total of 16 students who have yet to be ‘placed’ and who have been actively applying for placements posts over the last six months. 

Whilst the number of new placement enquiries and opportunities for this current cohort is now slowing as we enter the summer season, the School eagerly awaits employer confirmation on funding, which may bring 5 more opportunities into the placement arena.  Unexpected placements do still appear from time to time, but it is accepted that the summer holiday period is not normally known for this.

During the last academic year, 2010 -2011, none of the year out placements were in the private consultancy sector.  Although many organisations still voiced their continuing support for our town planning graduates, the impact of the economic recession had created considerable uncertainty over company workload, leading to the inevitable reluctance to committing to taking on a placement student. 

However, in contrast to last year, placements for 2011-12 already include 6 planning consultancies, with a geographical spread from Newcastle to London.  Most of these companies have taken placement students in the recent past.  Other employers, who have been able to continue to offer placements over the last few uncertain years, include Northumberland County, Edinburgh City Council, Transport for London and Ryedale District Council.

The search for placement opportunities remains a priority for School Staff in their work with employers and research organisations.  Mail shots to Local Authorities and Planning Consultancies are undertaken and followed up at regular intervals throughout the year.  The RTPI in the Northern Region has also been particularly supportive in forwarding on information about the placement year to its network of employers and members in the Region.  The Annual School Careers Fair in February also facilitates a continuing dialogue with employers which helps to keep the needs of the student planner and the requirements of the placement year more firmly on the practitioner’s agenda.

During the placement year, students undertake a Certificate in Planning Practice (CPP) which demonstrates the level of their professional expertise.  Not only is the CPP a requirement for entry onto the Town Planning programme’s final Diploma year at Newcastle University, but it is also a useful stepping stone in preparing students for the disciplines required by Assessment of Professional Competence (APC through the completion of the Monthly Logbook and the development of reflective practice).  

The University requires a minimum of 6 month’s full time, or 12 month’s part time placement, for eligibility to register and to work towards the Certificate in Planning Practice. If you, your organisation, or someone you know, thinks that they may be offer a student a minimum of 6 months fulltime planning experience, then please contact Liam Fisher, liam.fisher@ncl.ac.uk, or Teresa Strachan, teresa.strachan@ncl.ac.uk, at the School of Architecture Planning and Landscape.

Teresa Strachan,

Professional Practice Tutor

School of Architecture Planning and Landscape

Newcastle University

Tel: 0191 2227801

Email: teresa.strachan@ncl.ac.uk

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Author:

Kay Lough

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

08-Aug-11

Categories:

Nations & Regions 

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