As students across the UK begin choosing their secondary school exam subjects, the RTPI has released a toolkit for members to use when discussing a career in planning with young people.
RTPI President Lindsey Richards made this a key focus of her presidency during her inaugural address in January, unveiling the BALANCE initiative – an ambitious effort to build a pipeline of young professionals in planning.
BALANCE (Build a Legacy And New Community Equality) aims to expand the RTPI’s outreach by increasing the number of volunteers and school ambassadors engaging with schools and colleges across the country.
As part of this initiative, the RTPI has launched new materials, including an updated Ambassador Toolkit, to support members in promoting planning as a career option. The Institute is urging its members to volunteer as ambassadors and dedicate at least two hours next year to visiting schools and universities.
RTPI President Lindsey Richards launched the updated toolkit at an event for RTPI Fellows
President Richards has made school and university visits a cornerstone of her leadership, personally championing the initiative and calling on every RTPI member to play their part.
By raising awareness and understanding of planning, BALANCE aims to build a strong pipeline of young professionals ready to make an impact in their local areas.
Lindsey Richards, President of the RTPI in 2024, said: “Over the last ten months, as President of the RTPI, I have toured the stretches of the UK, visiting local communities, their local authorities, schools, and businesses. I’ve come across many people with a keen passion for local areas but a lack of understanding of the role of planners in shaping them.
“That is why this is a call to action. I’m calling on every RTPI member to use our updated Ambassadors toolkit to devote at least two of your CPD hours next year to going into schools to champion planning.”
“If we can continue to connect the dots for students between the issues they care about and the work of planning, we can build a truly robust pipeline of young talented professionals.”
Schools interested in hosting an RTPI Ambassador can request a visit by emailing [email protected].
The full toolkit for members is available here.
