Transport planner: Training

Many employers have their own internal training, which is often carried out on the job. This will vary depending on the employer and the size of the company. Some offer formal graduate training schemes, which provide the opportunity to acquire a wide body of knowledge and experience with a variety of clients.

It is very important to keep up to date with any developments in technologies, techniques, policies and legislation. To help with this there are many short training courses available and opportunities to network and meet fellow planners. The Transport Planning Society (TPS)  has a calendar of events throughout the year, as well as a list of training providers.

The TPS also offers a Professional Development Scheme, which has been prepared in partnership with GoSkills: The Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport . It can be taken by transport planners at any stage in their career and aims to help them achieve the knowledge and experience related to a wide range of planning activities as well as the ability to supervise staff. The scheme typically takes around five years to complete, although this does depend on the candidate and the amount of previous experience they have.

Once the scheme has been completed, and provided they have the necessary academic qualifications, the candidate will usually meet the requirements for the Transport Planning Professional qualification, which is jointly awarded by the TPS and Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) . It combines learning and practical experience and requires at least five years' postgraduate experience.

Candidates will also be able to go on to become a chartered member of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK)  or the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)  if they have a civil engineering degree (this may require further competencies in engineering). Professional membership with other institutions such as the CIHT is also available.