Marvin OnumonuInfrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins (pictured) has welcomed the launch of a recruitment campaign for new planners.
The campaign is being run in collaboration with four local councils and Belfast Metropolitan College.
The scheme will let recruits work while studying for a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in planning.
Kimmins said: “Plan to Improve is one of seven Foundations for a Better future, which are underpinning the work my Department is doing today, to build a better tomorrow.
“The planning profession plays a hugely important role in delivering a wide range of important outcomes for our society and it is vital that we have the right people in post to carry out that important role.
“I am therefore delighted that recruitment for the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) in Planning is now underway in this joint initiative with councils to help resource the planning system.”
Kimmins added: “Since taking up the Infrastructure portfolio I have had a clear focus on strengthening the planning system by building additional capacity and unlocking the potential of our people resources.
“The Planning Improvement Programme has been a key catalyst in strengthening this principle as we work collaboratively with councils and other key stakeholders to deliver more open, transparent, accountable processes.
“As we look to the future of planning this apprenticeship provides a fantastic opportunity for participants to embark on a professional career path by earning a full time salary with on the job learning while studying for a foundation degree.”
She said: “In addition to the council recruitment campaign my Department has also commenced an internal recruitment competition across the NICS, providing an opportunity for civil servants to learn new skills and enhance their career opportunities within the service as trainee planners.
“This will bolster the improvements already being delivered by the Planning Improvement Programme, such as the significant improvement in the average processing time for major applications in 2024/25, which saw the lowest processing times since the transfer of planning powers in 2015.
“This trend is continuing with major application processing times meeting the 30-week statutory target in the first quarter of 2025/26 for the first time.”
She added: “This is in addition to improving statutory consultee response times, as 77% were responded to on time, that is within 21 calendar days or within an agreed extended timeframe.”
Applications for the councils’ HLA in Planning opened on 7th November and closes on 21st November.
The scheme is open to school leavers, career changers and anyone interested in the built environment.
The Department for Infrastructure’s internal recruitment started on 3rd November and closes on 14th November.
