Pathways to Planning Programme – Graduate Trainee

Pathways to Planning is a graduate programme, recruiting high achieving, passionate graduates into successful careers in the built environment as planners and surveyors – no experience needed.

What is the role?

Employed on a minimum two-year contract, Pathways graduates will work for a public sector body such as a local council, building lasting careers in the built environment. No experience is needed – graduates learn everything they need to know on the job, and undertake a fully funded master’s in a relevant subject, with the support of their employer and the Pathways to Planning team. They are mentored by more senior members of staff and supported through introductory learning to introduce them to their field.

Graduates on the programme work full-time, with paid time off to attend university (usually once a week). Our surveying stream launched in 2025, and is perfect for anyone who has a technical mind, works well with numbers, and is good at solving problems. Our planning stream has hired over 400 graduates into roles at over 180 different employers since 2023.

Once graduates have finished their postgraduate study, they are on track to become fully accredited planners and surveyors and then able to progress into more senior roles. Our councils and employers have excellent career progression routes, and a vested interest in seeing their Pathways graduates succeed.

Where will I be based?

The scheme works with local councils and public sector bodies across England and Wales, who will hire graduates as part of the programme and support their career development as accredited professionals.

Before the interview stage, candidates rank which employers they would like to interview with – there are usually over 100 councils to choose from. Over the first four cohorts, the scheme has offered over 400 roles at over 180 different councils and employers.

Why should you apply?

• Fully-funded master’s degree – graduates study part-time, attending university usually once a week
• £26-40,000 starting salary (including London weighting if applicable)
• Minimum two-year full-time work contract
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Flexible working arrangements
• Mentoring 
• Paid time off work to study

How do you apply?

Pathways to Planning recruits graduates from all backgrounds, universities and degree disciplines. The programme is open to graduates from all degree backgrounds with a minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) completed by Summer 2027, and the right to work in the UK (until autumn 2029 at a minimum).

Applications are now open, click Apply Now below!