Welcoming measures to support the planning system, including the recent addition of Town Planning Officer to the critical skills occupation list, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) encourages students and graduates to consider a career in planning.
Commenting, Planning Regulator, Niall Cussen said: “It’s timely that Town Planning Officer has been added to the critical skills occupation list, given work underway implementing the Ministerial Plan on Planning Resources. There’s never been a better time to consider becoming a planner. We are eager to maintain and grow our talent pool, particularly at this critical phase of growth for the country.”
Speaking directly to students and graduates, Niall added: “If you’re looking for a career with impact, planning may make top of your list. The planning sector influences where we live, work and carry out sport and leisure activities. My career in planning has provided rewarding, interesting work with a wide range of creative people both within the planning sector and related fields, I’ve had opportunities for career progression. With both undergraduate and post-graduate courses available, I urge anyone interested to find out more, we have lots of available resources which provide more information.”
Planners have a variety of roles, engaging with elected members (councillors and politicians), young people and other members of the public, environmental groups, business organisations, community groups, government departments and other state agencies. In the public sector they also work in policy, designing and influencing county, city and local development plans. The planning sector relies on evidence and research, with many planners specialising in that area.
Careersportal.ie has all the information you need – from the impact of a career in planning, to practical matters like the salary range, skills and educational requirements. Please check out and share these links to specific resources:
- ‘Meet a Planner’ profiles of graduates who share their experiences, from their planning courses to their career paths from graduation and experience working in the sector
- ‘Becoming a Planner’ resource which includes planning course details, interviews with planners working various fields and the steps involved in creating a career in planning
- Occupational Database for a Planner
- About Planning
- About the Office of the Planning Regulator
- What is a Planner?
- What sparked your interest in planning?