STUDENTS across England will benefit from a £5,000 bursary to pursue careers in the planning industry, the housing minister has announced today (May 12).
More than 50 young professionals will be offered a bursary through the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) to study a planning masters, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of skilled planning sector workers.
The scheme, launched today (May 12), increases the value of the bursary from £2,000 to £5,000 which can cover up to 50% of the cost of a students’ university masters fees.
The bursaries are aimed at disadvantaged students including those who are struggling financially, with care responsibilities or those with disabilities in the hopes of boosting diversity in the planning sector.
Minister for housing and planning Rachel Maclean said: “Planning is an incredibly rewarding career and planners across the country are helping us to level up by delivering more homes, better infrastructure and the communities of tomorrow.
“This funding will attract fresh talent and ideas to the planning sector, including a more diverse range of students who will help deliver a modern and efficient planning system.”
The new funding for over 50 students will add to over 150 bursaries already funded by the department for levelling up, housing and communities (DLUHC) over the last three years.
Former students who have benefitted from the scheme include 36-year-old single parent Jennifer Campbell, who was able to pursue an urban regional planning masters course thanks to government backed funding.
Jennifer is currently gaining work experience at TMC Planning Consultancy while completing her dissertation after the bursary has relieved her of financial stress and offered a platform to acquire skills to succeed in the planning sector.
Chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Victoria Hills said: “Local authorities and planning consultancies alike are struggling to attract and retain talent. This matters not just to the future of planners, but to the communities we represent.
“To deliver for communities, it’s essential that we continue to attract diverse talent onto accredited planning courses and support the development of a professional planning workforce that is open and inclusive. This important bursary scheme, delivered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, will help more students access an RTPI accredited Masters programme and inspire and prepare the next generation for a rewarding career in planning.”
The government also recently announced £1 million to help councils recruit and train skilled planners and increase awareness about careers in local government.
42 students in England were granted DLUHC funded future planners bursaries in 2022.
With a total of 168 planning industry bursary recipients in the last four years.
Visit: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/become-a-planner/bursaries/rtpi-future-planners-bursary-2023-england/ for more information.
