planning officer Review

Item: planning officer at Walsall Council
Rating: 4.3
Author: Anonymous

at Walsall Council

Degree Apprenticeship

Property Planning

Walsall

Review Submitted: May 2026

Overall Rating

4.3 /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!

4/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

4.2/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

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

4/5

tackling breaches of planning enforcement, dealing with a heavy caseload of planning enforcement cases and subsequent visits, communication and court paperwork including attendance.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

i am really enjoying learning more about the subjects to help me understand processes, the reasons for setting policy and to give me the knowledge to porgress within the field

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

i have learned a lot of new skills and knowledge often things we wouldn't look into as part of my role but gives me a greater dept of understanding along with the ability to step into roles at work and help out. the kills i am continually learning is giving me the ability to offer a better and fuller service i the workplace.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

the commute is quite far and the work is a challenge alongside my day job but the porgramme fits into one day per week, the only think i feel might benefit is from potential for remote learning online which would save me 4 hours commute to uni.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

my workplace are supportive and on the rare occasion i have asked for time to focus on uni work this has been granted. My mentor is very supportive.

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

4/5

i have regular 1-1s with uni and my mentor and find the feedback helpful which helps keep me on track

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

5/5

by gaining knowledge and skills this gives me a better understanding and the confidence to deal with queries. the learning has been invaluable. i feel i was doing well at work and this has now give me more confidence and broadened my knowledge.

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

4/5

i think there have been some apprenticeship events on though i must confess i haven't attended, i am quite a bit older than most doing apprenticeships i would imagine . but the events have been on.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Walsall Council to a friend?

Yes

Why?

i joined this authority after many years working for another authority, one of the reasons was that i was offered training, unfortunatley covid delayed this but i am glad to say my workplace supported me through obtaining my functional skills at the local college and then enrolling me into university for my apprenticeship, i will be forever grateful for the opportunity.