Training and Recruitment Opportunities

The new National Planning Skills Commitment Plan 2025 is led by the Scottish Government and supported by almost 60 organisations across the built and natural environment professions. Together they will roll out a coordinated monthly training programme and recruitment drive for Scotland.

The commitment is to work in partnership to intensify the focus on improving skills and attract more people into the profession. Whilst the scale of the challenge is significant, Scotland’s planning industry have come together through the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan to help push the agenda forward.  This work builds on the RTPI Future Planners Project Report (2022) and sits as an Action in the Planning and the Housing Emergency - Delivery Plan (November 2024).  

SCHEDULE

The Commitment Plan's Schedule will update every month with different themes for training sessions and recruitment opportunities.  The aim is to provide support across all sectors, different age groups, and career stages, whether working in, or out, of the profession.

Themes for May 2025 are "live" and focus on:

  • Training - NPF policies
  • Recruitment - Opportunities for talent

To help you decide on what's best, for you, click on the yellow box (below) to see the full Schedule.

Schedule

The Schedule is set out simply under the headings of who the opportunities are for, what format they will take, with whom, and when. You can sign up either by the links (below) or within the Schedule.

May's Schedule Details

SIGN UP - TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT 

Developing your skills

National Planning Policy:

Development Planning:

  • Net Zero Workshop - 27 May 10:00-14:30 | Register Susan.Stirling@gov.uk

Key Topic:

Digital:

Opportunities for talent:

Upcoming conferences to network

All Energy Conference - big opportunity to mix and meet people - 14-15 May

Scottish Renewables Planning Conference 2025 - 27 May

Plus more to come soon.

Continue to check out work/ learn opportunities

Public Sector

Check your local councils to see what is available.

Private Sector

Academic Sector

Volunteer Sector

  • Planning Aid Scotland – Graduate Training Scheme | Please email jo@pas.org.uk for more information

Bursaries

£5000 Future Planner bursaries are available to 30 students on an RTPI-accredited Planning Masters in Scotland for 2025/26 to assist with course fees and living expenses.

The bursary aims to attract diverse talent from a variety of planning-related disciplines and underrepresented backgrounds to study a fully accredited Planning Masters in Scotland and increase the number of qualified planners.

The Scottish Government has provided grant funding to deliver the scheme and it will be directly administered by the three Scottish planning schools: University of Glasgow, University of Dundee and Heriot-Watt University. Each university will have 10 bursaries to award. RTPI Scotland will provide additional support to Bursary holders by offering places at Institute events.

Full details of the bursaries, links to the courses, and how to apply can be found on the RTPI website.

Recruitment Inspo Day

Watch the video about Scottish Government's Planning Inspo day which took place on 6 March 2025 with support from City of Edinburgh Council and SSE Renewables.

Register for the next Recruitment Inspo Day, which will take place on 5 June 2025 at Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh (11am to 3:30pm) by emailing Susie Stirling. Please be quick - only a few places left! 

Summary of the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan

More details about the National Planning Commitment Plan have been set out including Aims, Approach, and Assessment.

Read a summary of National Planning Skills Commitment Plan

STAKEHOLDERS

100% commitment from stakeholders 

Stakeholders have committed their support, through some form of action, to the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan. For now, this includes over 100 people across almost 60 organisations. Everyone’s support will come into play at different times and the stakeholders have agreed to work collectively to help address Scotland’s skills agenda.

The Stakeholders that are part of the Commitment Plan so far have either already been linked to the planning skills agenda, or have been introduced as fresh contacts, including some specialising in skills promotion.

Commitment Plan Stakeholders are listed alphabetically below.

SIGN UP - NATIONAL PLANNING SKILLS COMMITMENT PLAN

There is no exclusivity to committing to playing a role within the Commitment Plan. 

If your organisation wishes to join the Commitment Plan, please contact the Scottish Government Planning Architecture and Regeneration Directorate via susan.stirling@gov.scot and they will be happy to explore with you how best to work together.  

The Scottish Government is grateful to every stakeholder who has agreed to support the Commitment Plan and look forward to working with you. 

WITH THANKS TO EVERYONE 

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