Designed by employers, the Level 6 Transport Planner degree apprenticeship opens a new route into the profession that combines academic education with practical experience.

Sir Gerry Berragan, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, Chief Executive said:

“Modern apprenticeships open up a range of highly-skilled jobs to a more diverse range of candidates, giving apprentices the opportunity to earn while they learn. I am delighted that our transport planning sector will benefit from this high-quality apprenticeship while another route into an exciting career is opened to our learners.”

“I’m delighted that the Employers Working Group has successfully developed a new route into the transport planning profession by establishing a degree apprenticeship which combines an academic programme with practical experience through a supportive employer.”

A wide range of employers have been working closely with the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC), universities, and professional bodies (including CIHT) to develop the apprenticeship which will be launched in September this year for delivery at Aston University. Employers in England are now able to recruit candidates to start the programme this autumn.

The time needed to complete the apprenticeship can vary, but it is typically completed within four to five years. Levy-paying employers in England can use the levy to fund this apprenticeship, up the maximum funding rate of £23,000.

The Degree apprenticeship is an ideal route for those on the three-year level-three transport planning technician apprenticeship after they have successfully completed their end point assessment with the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:

“The Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship has been a great success and the apprentices are already adding value to their organisations. The Transport Planning Degree Apprenticeship is another significant building block for the profession that will help to ensure that we have people with the right level of knowledge, experience and commitment to address future transport planning challenges. The recent approval of CIHT’s Chartered Transport Planning Professional title further enhances the standing of the profession and those who work in it.”

Currently, the vast majority of transport planners enter the profession after graduating from undergraduate or postgraduate degrees from across a range of subjects. This apprenticeship will support those entering the transport planning profession, not only with the academic credibility of their graduate counterparts but will deliver the highly technical and professional skills and behaviours needed by our transport planners.