Two town planners have become the first apprentices to achieve Chartered status through the new Degree Apprenticeship End Point Assessment route.
Amy Powell from Edgars and Alice Higgitt from Savills completed their academic studies and period of on-the-job training followed by a Professional Discussion and Assessment of Professional Competence.
“I’m incredibly proud to have got to this milestone in my career, and for being one of two apprentices to become chartered members of the RTPI through the apprenticeship scheme,” said Powell, who later went on to win the award for the RTPI South East Young Planner of the Year 2022.
“I cannot extoll the virtues of the apprenticeship enough; the combination of working and studying develops all the knowledge, skills and behaviors required of a professional planner, alongside working with other local authority and private consultancy planners through the degree course. These shared experiences are the fundamental building blocks for developing a career in town planning through providing insights into different topics and allowing you to develop your interests within the discipline.”
The Chartered Apprenticeship is a great way to become Chartered whilst having the opportunity to learn on the job. “This is something I found extremely beneficial as the course was very relevant to my job and if I ever had questions I could ask colleagues at work,” added Higgitt.
The Chartered Town Planner Degree apprenticeship allows employers to grow their own talent through academic and hands-on work experiences. With 11 Planning Schools now delivering the apprenticeship, those interested in recruiting or upskilling a member of their team can reach out to a Planning School nearby for support through the process.
For Powell, the support from her employers, Edgars Limited, had been instrumental in her success, as well as supporting her through the degree course and in preparing for the APC submission alongside that from London South Bank University and the RTPI. “The combined resources provide an apprentice everything they need to build a successful career in the industry,” said Powell. “Overall, I would recommend this route to anyone considering a career in planning as the whole process has taught me a great deal.”
More information about how apprenticeships work can be found in on the RTPI’s Apprenticeship Employer Handbook. More information about apprenticeships for employers can be found here.
