Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School, Barry has a visit from the planners

The students studying for their Geography GCSE’s found out about the challenges planners seek to address and the career opportunities available in the profession.

The RTPI ambassador spoke to students about the impact of planning on their everyday lives and explained how planners are helping the development of Barry and Cardiff. The ambassador also talked about the skill sets required by planners and the potential routes to study planning at university.

Tim Walter, Senior Planning Officer, Cardiff and Future Planner ambassador said: “I discovered the planning profession whilst studying A Level geography and it was great to have the opportunity to present planning as a career option to the class.”

Future Planners is a project launched by the RTPI to mark its centenary year. Over 100 ambassadors have been recruited to visit schools up and down the country to raise awareness and foster an interest in planning with students aged 11 to 18. The project aims to get young people thinking about the place where they live and the challenges communities face in the future.

With 23,000 members’ worldwide working in the public, private, charitable and education sectors, the RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe. As well as promoting spatial planning, the RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built and natural environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development.

As part of the centenary project the RTPI has also produced a short film ‘How do we plan our world’ explaining about the importance of planning to our everyday lives and the wider environment. The film can be viewed here.

The RTPI’s President Cath Ranson said "The RTPI Future Planners project offers an exciting and important opportunity to inspire a younger generation and get young people thinking about their environment.”