Career Grade Planning Officer Review

Item: Career Grade Planning Officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council
Rating: 5
Author: Anonymous

at Cheshire West and Chester Council

Degree Apprenticeship

Transport Planning

Chester

Review Submitted: April 2025

Overall Rating

5 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

5/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

5/5

I work in the planning policy team at Cheshire West and Chester Council and help to prepare planning documents such as the Local Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
I also have responsibility for work areas such as minerals and waste and neighbourhood planning

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I absolutely love my programme and working for the council. The team that I work with are amazing and have really helped me through my studies and my job role. The University of Birmingham have also been very helpful and supportive throughout the course

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

Because I started my planning career at the council straight after finishing my undergraduate degree, every planning skill I have learned/developed have come from this role at the council.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

5/5

My programme is very well structure as I have regular days where I have day release on a Monday for university

How much support do you receive from your employer?

5/5

I receive good support from my employer towards by studies by having my day release and especially the support from my line manager.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

5/5

The University of Birmingham have been very helpful with my studies especially the degree apprenticeship team.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

5/5

My qualifications and my RTPI status will mean that I am working for a professional body and will be able to have better future career progression

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

5/5

None, I go out for lunches with team regularly

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Cheshire West and Chester Council to a friend?

Yes

Why?

They are a very good employer to work for and have very good values the council that are very appeasing to being wanting to do a degree apprenticeship. They support career progression, studying towards qualifications and flexible working to fit around these.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Cheshire West and Chester Council?

Be yourself! When applying for a degree apprenticeship, a big impacting factor is how you areas a person and how you fit in a team and whether or not you are coachable to be shaped into a good all round planner.

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