Council Higher Level Apprenticeship Trainees Planning for Success

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s new Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Planning trainees are building towards future success.

Conail Holden and Jack Green secured a unique opportunity to earn while they learn and gain hands-on experience in local government with the Council, while studying for a recognised qualification.

The HLA trainees are a key part of the Council’s planning team, with Jack currently focusing on enforcement and Conail working in development management. During their course, they will spend time with senior staff working on various aspects of planning.

Last year, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council teamed up with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Belfast Metropolitan College and the Department for Infrastructure, to launch a recruitment campaign aimed at attracting future talent into the planning sector.

Conail and Jack are among 11 new trainee planners who have been recruited to work across the councils involved, with the HLA programme developed as a response to the challenges faced in recruiting and retaining planning staff.

The programme aims to strengthen local skills, attract new professionals and create future leaders in the planning sector and is designed to give participants the best of both worlds, a full salary while studying for a foundation degree, with no tuition fees and no student debt.

Conail and Jack work with planners four days a week and attend Belfast Metropolitan College on one day where they are studying a Foundation Degree in Property, Housing and Planning, with the opportunity for progression to Ulster University’s BSc in Planning, Regeneration and Development.

They described the opportunity to work alongside and learn from the Council’s experienced planning team as invaluable. As they continue their studies in the trainee planner programme, Conail and Jack are encouraging anyone interested in the Higher Level Apprenticeship to find out more about it.

The HLA in Planning is designed to build a skills and knowledge foundation for trainees which paves the way for them to play key roles in shaping the environment for future generations.

Conail said the HLA scheme provides a good balance between academic learning in the classroom, on site and in the office.

“I am very interested in the history of the area and its construct and think that will be useful when dealing with planning applications. There are times when you have to take things like archaeological sites into consideration, so it’s good to have a knowledge of the area you are from,” he said.

Conail added: “I am excited about what the future holds. It is invaluable to work alongside experienced planners and learn in the classroom as well. The HLA provides exciting opportunities and we have fantastic mentors.”

Jack, who was a joiner for eight years, said he’s an advocate of apprenticeships and is relishing the opportunity to work alongside the Council’s planning team.

“Joining the Council is a big step and it is beneficial to be mentored by experienced planners. I always thought apprenticeship was the way to go and I previously studied an HNC Level 4 in Construction Management and Environmental Studies,” he said.

“I had planned to go to university after that and then the HLA opportunity arose. I believe apprenticeships are really good as you have the benefit of on-site experience alongside learning.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “Planners play an invaluable role and Jack and Conail are on a pathway towards an exciting future career that will help shape communities for future generations.

“I am delighted they have started to work and learn alongside the Council’s planning team and wish them well as they work towards their qualification.”