Kimmins welcomes new trainee planners
Date published:
Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins has welcomed eleven new trainee planners as they embark on the first term of their programme at Belfast Metropolitan College.
The Department has worked in partnership with participating local councils to enable trainees to study for a Foundation Degree in Property, Housing & Planning over a three-year period.
Speaking at a reception in Belfast Met today Minister Kimmins said:
“Planners bring enormous benefits to communities, the environment, the economy, to government and to everyday life. This Trainee Planner Programme will provide our new planning trainees with a great opportunity to work towards a qualification and a career that will allow them to play a key role in how the environment in which we live and work, is shaped for future generations.
“This is the first time since the reform of planning in 2015 that staff have been appointed to the trainee planner grade. It is just one of a number of positive steps that I am taking to address issues with recruitment and retention in the system and reflects my own commitment to improving the planning system, not only for the wider public, but also to support the health and wellbeing of those staff already working in the system.
“I would like to congratulate the new recruits and wish them every success as they embark on their new career paths through this comprehensive programme, which consists of both on the job training and study at Belfast Met.”
Concluding, Minister Kimmins said:
“I hope to work with councils on future initiatives and that this will be just the first of many trainee planner intakes ahead.”
Chris Corken, Head of School of Science, Engineering & Construction, Belfast Met said:
“Belfast Met is delighted to play a central role in this innovative Trainee Planner Programme. This initiative reflects exactly what can be achieved through genuine collaboration between the Department for Infrastructure, local councils and further education. By investing in new talent, we are strengthening the future of the planning profession and supporting the wider construction and built environment sectors. I commend the Minister for her leadership and commitment to ensuring our trainees have the opportunity, skills and confidence to shape the places and communities of tomorrow.”
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Chris Corken, Head of School of Science, Engineering & Construction at Belfast Metropolitan College, welcome eleven new trainee planners as they commence their Trainee Planner Programme. The Programme enable trainees to study for a Foundation Degree in Property, Housing & Planning over a three-year period. It is one of a number of initiatives being progressed through the Planning Improvement Programme to address issues with recruitment and retention; to build capacity and capability and to support succession planning.
- The learning and development programme has been designed for trainees to ensure that they are provided with sufficient breadth and depth of experience; are provided with an opportunity for competency development and practical application of skills; are given progressive responsibility for work-based activities and sufficient reflective practice to gain key knowledge, skills and experience in planning. Key learning will be further supplemented via more formal in-house training sessions taken in conjunction with Local Government trainees.
- The Department has appointed 6 trainees with a further 5 trainees being appointed across participating Councils.
- The participating local councils are Belfast City Council; Newry, Mourne Down District Council, Antrim Newtownabbey Borough Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District Council.
- All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk .
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