Encouraging Young People into The Planning Sector

by Chelsea Bailey

Tackling the housing crisis in the UK has become a high priority for the country but questions remain about who is going to build and plan all of these new homes.

The UK currently needs around 300,000 more new homes annually to keep up with the growth in population and to make up for years of under-supply. However, this need for increased housebuilding is happening at a time when there is a huge skills gap in the country.

According to recent Make UK Modular research, the housebuilding sector needs to recruit 137,000 more workers to hit this target by 2030. This means 17,000 new recruits annually, triple the current rate.

This is exacerbated when considering that 360,000 construction workers are due to retire by 2030.

These findings reflect how both the construction and planning sectors urgently need to boost skills and expertise to see the development of much-needed housing and to replace the ageing workforce.

Inspiring young people to join the planning sector is key to delivering more homes

Answering these calls to incentivise and encourage people to join the planning sector, the UK Government has recently announced funding for young people.

Over 50 young professionals across England are going to benefit from a £5,000 bursary to pursue careers as planners designing greener neighbourhoods.

The bursary to study a planning masters will be offered through the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It is aiming to attract a new generation of students aspiring to train and work in the planning sector.

At the end of 2022, it was announced that councils would be given powers to block planning permissions from developers who have failed to deliver homes on the same site, in a bid to speed up the delivery of homes. Housebuilders had argued that this could reduce the number of homes being built, by making development more risky. Now, local authorities and planning consultancies are struggling to attract and retain talent.

Housing Industry Leaders spoke to Andrew Close, Director of Education and Profession at the Royal Town Planning Institute, about how it is proving difficult to find the talent needed: “Public sector resourcing has become a chronic concern among planners, with Local Planning Authorities struggling to attract and retain talent. Without a sufficient cohort of qualified planners, Local Planning Authorities are unable to deliver the affordable homes, green spaces, public services and critical infrastructure our communities need.”

He continued to highlight that the funding will help to diversify the sector: “Our goal is to ensure a continued pipeline of qualified planners are entering the profession while ensuring the planning profession is as diverse as the communities it represents.”

Recent data released by the RTPI found that since 2019, the diversity of the whole profession has increased to 5%.

Andrew revealed that he believes this programme is essential to the future of the planning sector: “While we know there is still more to be done to inspire and prepare the next generation of planners, we believe the Future Planners Bursary programme will continue to open doors for those who might have otherwise struggled to enter the profession.”

This funding from the Department for Levelling Up (DLUHC) will back more careers in the planning sector, helping councils to recruit staff and create better communities.

Housing Industry Leaders discussed this funding with a spokesperson from the DLUHC, who explained that it will help support the development of more houses.

They said: “Encouraging the next generation of planners with fresh ideas and talent is crucial in helping us to deliver more homes, design greener neighbourhoods and shape local communities across the country.”

Disadvantaged students will be supported through the scheme

In the last three years, the DLUHC has already funded over 150 bursaries. In 2022, 42 students in England were granted DLUHC-funded Future Planners bursaries.

This scheme is aimed at disadvantaged students including those who have struggled financially, with care responsibilities, or those with disabilities; helping to boost diversity in the planning sector.

It follows the recent announcement by the UK Government of £1 million to help councils recruit and train skilled planners and increase awareness about careers in local government.

To deliver for communities, it is essential that the housing sector continue to attract diverse talent into planning and support the development of a professional planning workforce that is open and inclusive.

Together with this funding, a new generation of trained planners could help to provide important expertise to support local planning authorities to see vital infrastructure and homes delivered across the country.

As the housing industry works towards addressing the skills shortage and tackling the current housing crisis, providing funding and inspiring young people to join the sector is key.