GRADUATES who are interested in careers in planning are set to be offered a new work and study opportunity in a bid to address a lack of trained planners in Scottish local authorities.
The partnership will enable individuals to apply for a part-time position at the Scottish Government, coupled with a part-time funded place at either Heriot-Watt University, the University of Dundee or the University of Glasgow.
Heriot-Watt offers a two-year Master of Science (MSc) degree in Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development. This is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and is designed to give students the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work as planners or development surveyors.
The new work/study module, titled the Future Planners Programme, is due to be launched by the Scottish Government later this month. It will be open to graduates with an undergraduate degree.
Dr Sacha Hasan, head of discipline for planning and real estate at Heriot-Watt University and assistant professor of human geography, said, “Real-world experience is vital for our students, and this is a fantastic opportunity to work with a leading team of planners and architects at the forefront of shaping Scotland’s urban realm. We are thrilled to be able to offer our students this opportunity with the Scottish Government.”
Information on the Future Planners Programme will be available online later this month through a dedicated website and on the Scottish Government’s careers portal.
