Training Programmes

Workshops

Workshops are TRA's major method of training delivery. They involve limited size groups (usually a maximum of 16-20 people) under the direction of one (in some cases two) of our team of presenters. Workshops are participatory, involving discussion, exercises and case study consideration as well as key input by the presenters themselves. All our presenters are not only experienced practitioners but also good at getting material across in a "user friendly" manner.

For further information on any of the events below, please click on the link.

Updates and Conferences

Professional Updates and other conference style events are open to a larger number of participants than workshops (usually up to 130) and have a range of speakers. They usually incorporporate parallel sessions for smaller groups, and always involve opportunities for questions and discussion. They run to a structured yet relatively informal format. They are an excellent opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments and to exchange experience with colleagues in the field.

For further details of any of the events below, please click on the link. You can also find details of all our Updates and Conferences, not just the ones in this programme in the Conferences/Update Events section (including our new Planning Agreements Forum).

An extensive programme

The 2010 proramme covers a wide range of topics with 25 different events to choose from.

Useful downloads

Summary of the 2010 programme

2010 discounted block booking form

2010 general booking form

Block booking discount

For 2010, we are continuing to offer our popular discounted block booking scheme. If you book 6 or more places at the same time (spread over any number of events in this programme) you will receive a 15% discount on the total price.

Not only does the scheme offer great value for money it also provides an opportunity to arrange all your training needs for the year in one go.

Bookings should ideally be made using our special block booking form.

Participant comments

Click on any event title to see more details and feedback comments from people who have attended the workshop previously.

Featured Workshop

Professionals Becoming Managers

This new version of the previously popular workshop is specifically geared to managing in these difficult economic times. It is aimed at the professional planner who is either aiming for, is about to take on, or has just been promoted to a managerial role. The workshop covers a wide range of aspects of managing in modern local government and has been designed to ensure that new managers have a basic understanding of what they can expect to face and what will be required of them once they are managing both staff and processes and resources. The workshop seeks to demystify the management process without underestimating its difficulties.

This workshop is also available to be run on an in-house basis for an individual authority, as a one-off, or as an introduction to our series of in-house Management Development workshops.

2010 Bursary Scheme for Planning Support Staff

20 free places available on TRA events - view details.

In-house training

All of the workshops featured in the 2010 programme can be delivered on an in-house basis for an individual authority (or group of authorities). Please get in touch for further information. You might also like to look at the following pages:

• In-house training in Development Management, including Enforcement
• In-house training for Planning Support Staff
• In-house training for Planning Policy Staff
• In-house training for Inquiries/Examinations
• In-house training on Urban Design
• In-house briefings for agents and applicants

 Planning Admin Network

The Planning Admin Network (PAN) is co-ordinated by TRA and its main aim is to provide a way for people involved in planning administration and support to contact each other and share their experiences, issues and problems etc. It is open to anyone working in, or simply interested in, planning administration in England, Scotland and Wales, in either the public or private sector.

The network functions via a website: www.planningadminnetwork.co.uk, making it easy to contact other people all over the country. The PAN website features:

• an interctive Discussion Forum
• a News section
• a Useful Links page

Membership of PAN is absolutely FREE, and the registration process is quick and easy. All you need to provide is your e-mail address and preferred username and password.

Certificated Courses

TRA offers a series of certificated modular training programmes for planning and development staff, originally developed in conjunction with the University of Cambridge. Courses are currently available in:

• Planning Enforcement
• Town Planning Support
• Management Concepts and Skills in Planning.

The programmes have been specifically designed to meet the needs of planning and development staff, and their employers, who are seeking tangible recognition for their training achievements.