Training Programmes

Certificated Course Programme in Management Concepts & Skills in Planning

This programme is aimed at staff in all types of planning organisations, but especially those in the public sector, who wish to develop, sharpen and apply management concepts and skills.

The programme reflects the management development needs of planners as reflected in the recent studies commissioned by the Royal Town Planning Institute. It is highly practical, aimed at people of any level of seniority, who see themselves aspiring to jobs with significant managerial responsibility, either in the planning field or beyond.

The modules on this programme are quite widely "spaced". It is possible to start the programme with any module at any time - some basic material is common to all modules, linking them together; and all new entrants are given a limited amount of preliminary reading etc.

The course module itself costs £795.00 + VAT. We can arrange B&B accommodation at Madingley Hall for £65.00 + VAT per night.

Main Course Tutors: Trevor Roberts and Chris Weetman

Certificated Course Programme in Planning Enforcement

This programme is aimed at:

• unqualified staff working on planning enforcement (especially Enforcement Officers) who want to gain a systematic framework for their jobs and obtain an accredited qualification in their particular field

• qualified staff who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in enforcement as part of their professional development

• planning staff who are new to the enforcement field and wish to complement their experience with systematic and accredited training.

The course module itself costs £795.00 + VAT. We can arrange B&B accommodation at Madingley Hall for £65.00 + VAT per night.

Main Course Tutor: Vivien Green

Certificated Course Programme in Town Planning Support

This programme builds on TRA's 15+ years of experience in providing training for support staff in planning and offers a unique opportunity for those working in planning support to undertake accredited CPD. A printed brochure outlining the programme as a whole is available on request.

The course module itself costs £795.00 + VAT. We can arrange B&B accommodation at Madingley Hall for £65.00 + VAT per night.

Main Course Tutor: Julie Carpenter

Booking forms

General booking forms for each programme can be downloaded:

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

Management Concepts and Skills in Planning

So far 44 students have successfully completed the management programme and been awarded the Certificate in Continuing Education.

Comments from some of the students

• This course has given me enormous confidence (and hopefully greater skills) to apply for senior positions which I previously had felt beyond my reach. I have no doubt that I now have a signficant advantage over others of similar experience.
• The training in thinking "managerially" has helped me develop my role at work immensely.
• This course has provided me with a thorough understanding of current management concepts with specific reference to town planning. I have found it enormously rewarding and beneficial. I am now looking forward to learning more and applying my knowledge in practice.

• I consider that the confidence gained from the course will enable me to be a better team leader and hopefully I will be able to pass the experience on to others. I would definitely suggest that others attend the course.

Management e-Bulletin: Managing in Changing Times

Subscribe to our new Management e-Bulletin. The bulletin will be circulated on a quarterly basis, beginning at the end of August 2008, and will cover topical issues in the world of local government management.

Planning Enforcement

So far 76 students have successfully completed the enforcement programme and been awarded the Certificate in Continuing Education.

Comments from some of the students

• An incredibly valuable course. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to develop an appreciation of enforcement in the planning system.
• These courses have really helped to give Enforcement Officers some level of recognition within the planning field - and not before time!
• I would like to congratulate you on conducting very professionally composed and very informative sessions which have already been of immense benefit to me in my work.
• The four modules together have been very rewarding and given me extensive knowledge which would have otherwise taken years to establish.

• I was originally nervous of undertaking further education but after completing my first module I now feel more confident in both myself and my work.

Town Planning Support

Comments from some of the students

• I have enjoyed the experience of learning with fellow support staff. I feel I am gaining more confidence both on the course and at work now that I have a greater understanding of the processes involved in the decision-making process.
• This course has given me a more rounded view of the planning process and I now appreciate more the role of planning officers in decision-making. This in turn has enabled me to suggest improved ways of working within the support section.
• I now have a greater understanding of my role within the planning authority and now know why I do the tasks that I do.
• The course has given me the confidence to implement new-found knowledge. The foundations have been laid for future knowledge building. The course is highly pragmatic.
• I am enjoying learning about all the different aspects of planing and how they vary so much. It is very useful having interaction with people from other authorities.