Apprentice planning and development surveyors help conduct various investigations to successfully advise their clients on the development and investment alternatives.
As a planning and development surveyor, it is your role to advise clients on all aspects of planning and development so that they may make informed investment choices. Such considerations include site planning, development, conservation, and transit options.
Working in the public or private sector will you investigate a wide range of complex economic, social, and environmental issues while providing critical information to clients. When the government provides development funding, your expertise is significant, and thorough planning and financial consideration must be shown.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- research market data, like land and property records
- analyse figures using computer software
- assess whether plans are workable
- present your recommendations to clients
- oversee planning applications
- raise finances from funding bodies, investment companies and development agencies
- negotiate contracts and tenders
- advise clients about financial and legal matters, like compulsory purchases
- work out the likely economic, social and environmental impact of a development.
Salary
- Apprentice starting salaries for a planning and development surveyor are around £20,000 to £25,000.
- As an experienced chartered surveyor, you can earn £30,000 to £42,000, depending on your level of experience, the company and the location.
- Surveyors in more senior positions earn in the region of £40,000 to £70,000.
Working hours
Working hours and conditions can be variable and can typically require regular extra hours and some weekend and evening work, working 38 to 40 hours a week.
Working environment
You could work at a client’s business, in an office or visit sites.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice planning and development surveyor include:
- Level 6 Chartered Surveyor – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship. This qualification takes 60 months to complete.
- Level 4 Land Referencer – Entry requirements for this level include 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree. This qualification takes 30 months to complete.
Skills
On a planning and development surveyor apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- maths knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of geography
- analytical thinking skills
- customer service skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently.
Employers
Employment is mainly found within the private sector, in:
- planning consultancies
- firms of chartered surveyors with specialised departments
- commercial development companies
- property companies
- public utilities
- landowners
- private developers
- house builders and housing associations
- large commercial retail, banking and entertainment organisations with in-house estates departments.
In the public sector, you can find opportunities in:
- statutory agencies
- local authorities
- Homes England
- Regulator of Social Housing
Professional development
After completing an authorised degree or postgraduate conversion course, you will enter a two-year structured training programme with RICS known as the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become fully certified and a member of the RICS (MRICS). A year of placement as part of a suitable sandwich degree may be used to APC requirements.
One of the APC’s 22 unique pathways is planning and development. To complete the APC, you must pass a combination of required and optional competencies.
CPD is essential for the work and is necessary for RICS membership. You will be encouraged to learn about business and management practices in addition to necessary surveying skills. All RICS (MRICS) members must complete a postgraduate management degree within a particular time frame.
Senior planning and development surveyors, as well as many consultants in the private sector, usually have Royal Town Planning Institute membership (RTPI).
Career prospects
There are various chances for advancement within the sector and various career paths depending on the organisation you work for.
Graduates often start as trainee surveyors and advance to experienced and senior surveyor positions. Following that, there is the possibility of progressing to management roles (including associate, partner, and directorship responsibilities in specific organisations) or studying more specialisations.
Surveyors who have achieved significant success in their careers are eligible for RICS Fellowship (FRICS).
Other options for self-employment, consultancy, and freelance work exist.