Employing graduates: GP Planning

Hiring graduates is good for your business and the profession, that is the view of GP Planning Ltd. 

Founded in 2007, GP Planning Ltd was a small practice with strong growth prospects and 3 professional planning staff, specialising in minerals, waste, energy and rural landscape planning projects. In 2010 they employed two graduates, and two more during 2012. In two years they have doubled the size of the planning team and increased turnover by nearly 25%.  

“The ethos and business objective of GP Planning is to support and develop planning professionals” said Associate Lucy Booth. In 2010 the practice decided to advertise its first graduate position in Universities offering RTPI Accredited courses. From the flurry of applications from graduates two were selected for interview.

“Both candidates were exceptional” said Lucy, “so we hired both”. “They have a complimentary range of skills, interests, backgrounds and education, and the support they provide to each other in a small business has been invaluable.

We believe the graduates have made a significant contribution to the growth of the practice. They have created a young, dynamic and enthusiastic organisation, with a strong platform for future growth”.

Managing growth

So how did the practice manage the growth in staff and business? “Graduates are offered a 3 month contract, with a formal review in the third month” said Lucy. “A permanent contract may then be offered. This enables the employer and graduate to get to know each other, whilst providing the graduate with valuable experience”.

A range of measures have been adopted by the practice to support graduates and manage their integration, outputs and expectations. These include:  

• The assignment of a mentor,  and weekly meetings enable them to discuss with their mentor work undertaken, work planned, and any learning outcomes.
• Attendance at a range of office meetings, including monthly project reviews and project planning.
• Attendance at client meetings, site visits, consultation events and project meetings where at all possible.
• Attendance at monthly internal CPD sessions and occasional external conferences where appropriate. Each graduate, on their first day, is given a half-day induction followed by a pub lunch with all members of the team. 

“All work undertaken by graduates is done as part of a project team headed by a senior planner” explains Lucy. “The senior planner is responsible for the overall quality of work, ensuring that graduates have the opportunity to lean and be involved in exciting projects, and that the client receives the very highest levels of professional work and service”. 

As for the graduates, the opportunity to work at GP Planning has allowed them to demonstrate how they can contribute to the success of their employer:

Alexandra Barter, planning consultant, joined GP Planning Ltd in November 2010. 

“Having joined straight out of completing my MSc at the University of Reading I was new to the planning world, with little experience other than work experience gained over the summer holidays. GP Planning gave me the opportunities to learn on the job and experience many different aspects of planning within a short period of time. I believe that I would never have had this anywhere else as a graduate. At GP Planning we have grown together to pave the way for future graduates”.

Nathan Maddox, planning consultant, joined GP Planning Ltd in November 2010. 

“Working for GP Planning has allowed my progression from academic study to hands on working in the planning industry. The ability to work on a range of small to large scale mineral and waste projects from the very beginning has helped my personal development. This, along with working with senior team members on EIA development, has given me a firm understanding and knowledge of the planning system. The evolution of the company and the variety of clients makes it an exciting place to work.”

Paul McLaughlin, graduate planning consultant, joined GP Planning Ltd in July 2012. 

"Working for GP Planning has provided me with the platform needed to begin my career as a planning consultant. GP Planning have given me the chance to grow and develop in my role by delegating responsibility, ownership and opportunities.

Early exposure to major projects and clients has helped develop my technical understanding and needs of the minerals and waste development sectors. I have found that I am constantly learning new things on a daily basis, especially as I am now learning English policy and legislation, which differs form the Northern Irish policy which I studied whilst at university. 

GP Planning has invested great time and effort in the development of its graduates through its mentor scheme which pairs graduates with more experienced planners. This means that I am well supported in my work and professional development. This support and mentoring is important as I work towards completing my APC in the next two years and become a Chartered member of the RTPI. 

Personally, I think GP Planning is a great firm in which to have started my career. The foundation training is excellent, support is always available and the workload is stimulating. I’m really looking forward to taking my career forward with the practice."

The RTPI is calling on small practices and planning consultants to offer graduates work experience. For further information please read 'we risk a future shortage of planners' and 'Employing graduates: Smart Planning'. Alternatively contact chris.sheridan@rtpi.org.uk.