Town Planning Apprentice Review

Every working day in the office is different, this allows me to experience something new and allows me to learn something new every day about the job and about the planning industry. The majority of days start at 08:30am in the office after 45minuets to an hour of traveling, I arrive early to settle down and read the global news along with checking my emails and prioritizing my work load for the day. Every job is always different as one job could be focused on the conversion of a flat into two flats or the demolishing of a dwelling house into a block of flats. My role can vary between initial research for different members of the team to writing pre-applications for a development or writing proposal letters for clients and even creating full planning statements for projects all around London. The job allows me to attend site visits to some of the most amazing parts of London and attend meeting with architectures on current projects. The meetings and site visits allow opportunities to network with architects and clients which presents the opportunity to build your own clientele up. Each day presents new experiences and challenges of which are always exciting and provide chances to learn.

Throughout my experience so far i have learnt a vast range of skills. These include, communication skills with clients, architects and consultants, writing skills and professional development skills. The major learning curve i have experienced is the in depth and intricate detail to the planning industry. Working in central London you are exposed to a whole range of different projects on a infinite scale of size. Coming into the apprenticeship i had a limited knowledge of town planning and urban design following a week of work experience through out me time in secondary school. After 6 months within Savills i now find myself writing planning statements, pre-application statements, cover letters and conducting research in depth detail for proposals. Savills has taught me a lot of new skills in the professional world.

Each day is different and presents unique challenges, this keeps each day interesting. This makes me happy as i can never predict the next which keeps my mind active and always presents new way learning and developing. I enjoy working for Savills as my style of learning is catered to how i am comfortable to learn allowing me to exceed my personal expectations and my desire to learn is constantly presented to me.

The programme has a very good structure to it, i am committed to Savills four days a week (Monday - Thursday) and on Friday i am at London Southbank Uni. The two work very well together as i am presented adequate time to make sure i get uni coursework competed and Savills constantly presents learning opportunities on the days you are not at uni and Savills will keep you very busy.

Savills provide a lot of support through a multitude of ways. You are partnered with a mentor who will be in the same team as you and the mentor will have a meeting with you on a weekly basis and will talk through your development and ask how you are finding everything and if there is anything that needs to be altered. The team you work within will constantly help you whenever you need and there is no pressure to ask for help as no doubt you will need it at some stages. In Savills there is an Apprenticeship Coordinator that is always available to contact and arrange meetings with to help further development.

Every week on Friday there is dedicated day for University lectures, you will attend two lectures in the day. The Staff are always available to contact via email and do respond quickly. Throughout the days you are at uni the staff will always stay late to answer any questions you have.

Attending uni and working at the same time presents a unique opportunity. At work you will learn 70/80% of what you know and university will help build the rest. The unique opportunity is that what you learn at work you can incorporate into the classroom and what you learn in the classroom you can incorporate into your work. Attending university does benefit you massively and at the end when you become a Member of the RTPI it will help boost your career even further.

There are a multitude of of extra-curricular activities to get involved in at work. Savills presents opportunities to play for sports teams such as rugby and football. Savills also present a large range of social events to meet new clients, architects and different departments within Savills to present new job opportunities for yourself and team.

Yes

Savills is a great place to work and really does succeed in promoting development to every employee at all levels. The Planning Apprenticeship is a very interesting and vast job role where you learn a lot about the planning industry. Savills is a fun environment to work in and professional relationships between yourself and colleagues and external and internal services build very quickly and present a vast range of opportunities.

If your like learning actively and like being presented with new challenges everyday Savills really is the place to work. The level of learning is exceptional and everyday really does challenge you but that is the best way to work, no day is easy and that is why you develop so much in a short period of time, your development will continue to grow everyday