The Transport Planning Society has prepared the TPS Professional Development Scheme (PDS) for Transport Planners to provide a structured scheme that employers can adopt for the professional development of their transport planners.

Based on National Occupational Standards (NOS) for transport planning, prepared by the Society with GoSkills (the Sector Skills Council) and with substantial input from a broad range of employers, the Scheme has been designed to meet the needs of transport planners whether recent graduates, career changers or those with an established career. The Scheme is comprehensive, covering both knowledge and experience across the full breadth of transport planning as well as management and communications skills.

Those who have satisfactorily completed the TPS Scheme and also have the necessary academic qualifications should have the competences required:

1. For the Transport Planning Professional qualification
2. For Chartered membership of CILT

And those with an accredited degree wishing to be a Chartered Engineer (CEng) should have most of the required competences, although they are likely to need additional skills in engineering principles and health and safety.

The time required to complete the Scheme will vary between individuals, depending on their knowledge base at entry and the frequency with which they are able to move between tasks to gain the necessary breadth and depth of experience. Most will need about five years to complete it, although some with exceptional opportunities to gain the experience required might be able to complete it more quickly.

The TPS Scheme is available under licence to Stakeholder members and some Corporate members of the Society. Further information is available on the TPS website or by contacting info@tps.org.uk.