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Planning consultancy opens in-house ‘university’ for graduates

Written by: Ellie Kahn
Published on: 19 Oct 2021

DHA Planning graduatesThe graduates on the new programme (Pic: DHA Planning)

Planning consultancy DHA Planning has opened an in-house ‘university’ to its eight graduate employees.

The company said that it has recruited eight graduates this year, each of whom has been enrolled in the programme. This will offer in-house training on planning, transport, urban design, environment, infrastructure and land development, alongside study at a university of their choice. The graduates will also come together a day each month for a training course led by the firm’s senior management team.

It said three of its graduates are attending London South Bank University and the University of Westminster, to undertake their master’s degrees, while two have just completed their dissertations at University College London and are starting their Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) assessment of professional competence, showing they meet the standards required for chartered membership.

They will also be involved in the company’s graduate mentoring scheme, with training modules led by director David Bedford and associate director Emma Hawkes.

“We will ensure all our recruits get access to the highest possible industry-based training,” said Alex Hicken, the company’s managing director.

“We want to give them a career route to become industry-leading planners which will help our clients navigate the increasingly challenging planning environment,” he added.