Our recent analysis of the state of the planning profession is a precursor to a report we will publish later this year. It focuses on some of the key challenges facing the profession, including recruitment and retention, but also highlights just how much RTPI membership is valued.
The analysis has revealed that three of every four planners in the UK are RTPI members. It highlights the value our members place in the high professional and ethical standards associated with membership in the institute. Standards that are synonymous with the trust placed in them by employers, clients and the wider public.
The analysis has also revealed some encouraging data around diversity within the profession. For example, 8% of RTPI members under 40 are now from Asian, Black and minority ethnic communities, which is higher than the overall average of 5%. It also revealed that 50% of RTPI members under 40 are women. We’re particularly proud of this and every year we recognise some of the outstanding women in the profession through The Planner’s Women of Influence List.
A diverse and inclusive profession is central to the future of planning. That’s why we’re not just sitting back and being complacent. Instead, we’re focussing on active measures to further enhance the diversity of the profession including a joint action plan developed with the Chartered Institute of Building, Institute of Civil Engineers, Landscape Institute, Royal Institute of British Architects and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. We also have a bursary scheme, which targets applicants from disabled students and those from Asian, Black and minority ethnic communities.
RTPI Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Manager, Machel Bogues said: “Planning can and does play a positive and proactive role in sustainable economic growth and development, placemaking for communities, and tackling climate change but to keep playing that role we need to have a consistent stream of diverse talent entering the profession. It’s encouraging that the interim analysis has shown we are moving in the right direction, but we know there is still more to do.”
Alongside the analysis, our membership data has also revealed a very strong pipeline in our Licentiate class, growing by over 8% in 2022. RTPI Head of Membership Martine Koch said: “Growth amongst those at an early stage in their career represents an important growth in the pipeline of planners to ensure a sustainable future for the Institute. We’ve seen a significant increase of over 23% in the conversion of Student to Licentiate membership in 2022. The attraction of being part of an institute where diversity and high professional and ethical standards are core to its values is an important part of helping us to drive future membership growth.”
