2010 Bursaries for Planning Support Staff
Please note that all the bursaries for 2010 have now been awarded. See below for comments from some of those who benefitted so far.
Following the success of our 25th Anniversary Bursaries for Young Planners in 2009, we are delighted to be able to continue with an annual bursary scheme. For 2010, a scheme has been established for the benefit of planning support staff and there are 20 free places on TRA events available.
TRA has always recognised the crucial role played by planning support staff and has been providing training and development opportunities for them, in the form of small group workshops and annual conferences, since 1990. It seems to us that planning support staff in particular are suffering from the current squeeze on training budgets and through this scheme we are keen to provide access to training opportunities which might not otherwise be available.
The scheme is being run in conjunction with the Planning Admin Network (see opposite) and you must be a member of PAN to apply for a bursary.
Details of the events covered by the bursary scheme can be found opposite. Please also see below for the terms and conditions of the scheme. If you would like to apply, you can download an application form at the bottom of this page.
Feedback from bursary winners
- Emma Nasta, Technical Support Manager, Fenland District Council (Conference for Planning Support Staff) - It met my expectations in that there were updates in terms of the changes in the future of planning (spatial planning) and the concept behind development management. All presenters were very knowledgeable.
- Tania Jacobs, Technical Officer, South Gloucestershire Council (Permitted Development) - My knowledge of PD, I thought was fairly sound. However, the additional information gained was impressive. The most useful part was actually understanding the basics ie what is development. A perception that we in planning assume we understand.
- Sarah Harris, Enforcement and Compliance Support Officer, Dudley MBC (Permitted Development) - Great course, well presented and informative.
- Nichola Winstone, Technical Officer, South Gloucestershire Council, (Permitted Development) - On all levels my expectations were met. The presenter was extremely knowledgeable and gave clear and interesting definitions and examples. I found the whole training session useful.
- Andrew Wray, Planning Assistant, Welwyn Hatfield District Council (Permitted Development) - The course was current, relevant and extremely useful for officers who work with the legislation as an everyday part of their job. I feel better prepared to tackle the challenges the GPDO poses now that some of the ambiguity surrounding it has been cleared. The practical tasks in groups were certainly the most useful for me, as were the case studies of previous decisions.
- Julie Sherrington, Technical Officer, South Gloucestershire Council (Permitted Development) - A good day. The content was more than I had expected. Could not fault the presenter; she kept our attention easly and time went very quickly. I would like another refresher when I've had a chance to put what I've learnt into practice.