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A new joint recruitment campaign has been launched in Northern Ireland to attract future professionals into the vital planning sector. The initiative is a partnership between four local councils—Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; and Belfast City Council—alongside Belfast Metropolitan College and the Department for Infrastructure.
The campaign promotes the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Planning, offering a pathway to gain both a qualification and hands-on experience in local government. One apprenticeship position is available in each of the four participating councils.
The programme is designed to tackle challenges in recruiting and retaining planning staff by offering a debt-free route into the profession:
• Financial Benefits: Participants receive a full salary while studying, with no tuition fees or student debt.
• Qualifications: Apprentices complete an FdSc in Property, Housing and Planning at Belfast Metropolitan College, with an opportunity to progress to Ulster University's BSc in Planning, Regeneration and Development.
• Experience: They gain invaluable real-world experience learning directly from planning professionals within their council's Planning Team, learning how communities are shaped.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Jessica Johnston, highlighted the value of the programme: "Planning is about shaping the places where we live, work and grow, it plays a vital role in the future of our communities. This apprenticeship offers a fantastic route into a rewarding profession, giving people the chance to gain qualifications, knowledge and experience without the worry of student debt. I encourage anyone with an interest in the built environment to consider applying and becoming part of this exciting initiative."
The HLA is open to school leavers, career changers, and anyone interested in the built environment. Applications for the HLA in Planning opened on Friday, 7 November, and will close on Friday, 21 November.
