Transport planner : Employers and vacancy sources

There are about 10,000 transport planners currently employed in the UK. Just over half of these are employed in the private sector (particularly consultancies), with the rest employed in the public sector (mainly city and local government authorities).

Consultancies represent the area of greatest growth within the sector. Some consultancies are specialists in transport planning or transport engineering, while others have a broad transport, environmental or engineering remit, but also have transport planning departments. Consultancies provide travel plans and transport assessments for a wide range of clients, including schools, hospitals, developers and industrial firms. Aspects of their work can be more technical than in local authority departments. They may be involved in a project from the initial feasibility study to the construction and operational stages.

Local authority departments produce local transport plans and assess the implications of developments. They consult with residents and developers, seeking to find solutions that are acceptable and in line with local/national guidelines. They initiate the provision of some services, such as particular bus services or cycle routes, and also negotiate with transport providers. Some local authorities still carry out detailed in-house technical analysis, but this is more typically undertaken by consultants on behalf of the local authority.

The Department for Transport (DfT)  has a national policy-making role. Transport Scotland , the National Assembly for Wales  and the Department for Regional Development (Northern Ireland)  also have transport responsibilities. The other public sector organisations that recruit staff to this area are transport executives, which oversee public transport in major cities, such as Transport for London  and The Highways Agency (HA) .

Universities and research organisations also recruit transport planners for teaching and research roles.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Jobs in Transport  
• Transport Planning Opportunities  
• Planning Resource  
• Local Transport Today 
• Local Government Jobs  

Speculative applications are often productive in the private sector, whereas public sector positions are generally advertised.

Recruitment agencies occasionally handle vacancies for new graduates. Small and medium-sized consultancies are more likely to use agencies than larger firms.

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