This week sees the launch of a new Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship in Leeds, as part of the Government Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme.

 

This new specialised route into transport planning aims to equip young people with the academic knowledge and technical skills required to embark on a successful career in the profession.

 

The three year course has been developed by a group of employers in consultation with CIHT, the Transport Planning Society, Leeds College of Building and support from the Leeds Institute for Transport Studies.

 

Together these organisations have drawn up the standard that apprentices must meet as well as an assessment plan. The apprenticeship programme is mapped to the requirements for registration as an Engineering Technician (EngTech). 

 

CIHT chief executive Sue Percy said: “We were delighted to be involved with the Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship, which gives apprentices the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for and allows them to learn as they earn.

 

“Those who successfully complete the scheme will also be assessed for EngTech by CIHT.”

 

Sue Percy adds that “linking the apprenticeship to a professional qualification provides greater value and recognition for both the apprentice and their employer and is an important first step on a professional career pathway in transport planning or engineering.”

 

The apprenticeship’s employer working group chair Christine Crossley of Atkins said: “This course has been designed with employers’ requirements in mind. It will also give the apprentices a broad understanding of transport planning, opening doors for their future career development.”

 

Leeds College of Building’s project manager for the TPT apprenticeship Sarah Carter added: “We are excited to offer a new and unique course in Transport Planning. Learners will use state of the art technology to work on current and future industry innovations.”

 

Project manager for the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium Sheila Hoile concluded: “High level technical skill are in short supply within many transport planning organisations. Our long term aim is that the industry will have a well educated pipeline of young people who are well prepared for technicians roles.”