The new National Planning Skills Commitment Plan 2025 is led by the Scottish Government and supported by almost 60 organisations across the built and natural environment professions. Together they will roll out a coordinated monthly training programme and recruitment drive for Scotland.

The commitment is to work in partnership to intensify the focus on improving skills and attract more people into the profession. Whilst the scale of the challenge is significant, Scotland’s planning industry have come together through the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan to help push the agenda forward.  This work builds on the RTPI Future Planners Project Report (2022) and sits as an Action in the Planning and the Housing Emergency - Delivery Plan (November 2024).  

SCHEDULE

The Commitment Plan's Schedule has been updated every month with different themes for training sessions and recruitment opportunities.  The aim is to provide support across all sectors, different age groups, and career stages, whether working in, or out, of the profession.

Themes for June 2025 are "live" and focus on:

  • Training - Leadership and Development Management 
  • Recruitment - Opening up Work-Places + Rural Places

Schedule

The Schedule is set out simply under the headings of who the opportunities are for, what format they will take, with whom, and when. You can sign up either by the links (below) or within the Schedule.

June's Schedule Details

SIGN UP - TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT 

Developing your skills

Leadership:

New LISTEN-UP! podcast will be posted on PARD Linkedin | 25 June

The line-up includes:

  • Karen Anderson | President and Architect | RIAS
  • Neale McIIvanney | Interim Director Regeneration | Inverclyde Council
  • Helena Huws | Head of Placemaking | Network Rail
  • Johanna Boyd | Chief Executive | Planning Aid Scotland
  • Paul Lawson | Planner | Scottish Government and Chair Scottish Young Planners
  • Dr Ombretta Romice | Senior Lecturer | Strathclyde University

Listen in your own time to be inspired.

National Planning Policy:

  • Applying a Place Based Approach to Wellbeing | NPF Cross cutting policies | Webinar | 12 June | 11-12:00pm - Register
  • Landscape Architecture - Cityscape & Greenspace | Walk-Talk-Learn + Social | EDINBURGH | 26 June | 4:30-6:00pm | Register Melissa.Shields@gov.scot
  • Landscape Architecture - Planning & Windfarms | Walk-Talk-Learn + Social | INVERNESS | 26 June | 2:00-5:00pm | Register sile.tang@highland.gov.uk

Development Management:

  • Processing Agreements with JM Planning and Perth and Kinross Council | Enjoy the blog in June’s Schedule.
  • Pre App. Discussions with NORTHPLAN and Highland Council | Webinar | 18 June | 2:30-3:10pm | Register
  • Pre App. Discussions with MODA living and Glasgow City Council with Minister for Public Finance | Story + Site Visit | Date TBC | Register Melissa.Shields@gov.uk

Key Topics:

  • A brief History of Planning | Webinar for Planning Aid Scotland Volunteers | 11 June | 12:30-13:30pm | Register jo@pas.org.uk
  • Your wellbeing | Webinar | 30 June | 2:30-3:10pm | Register
  • Sustainability | CPD training | Short courses | University of Highlands and Islands Sustainability - UHI
  • Rural Community Development | CPD training | Short Courses University of Highlands and Islands | Rural Community Development CPD

Conferences:

  • New Towns and Design Codes | Strathclyde University | Glasgow | 11 June | Register
  • Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors with Deputy First Minister | Glasgow | 12 June | Register
  • Heads of Planning - Power of Planning | Kilmarnock | 19 June | Register

Opening up Work-Places + Rural Places:

  • Our Recruitment Inspo Days | With thanks to Duncan Smart Scottish Power and Steven Robb Historic Environment Scotland for supporting us.
  • Your Recruitment Inspo Days | Let us know if you fancy opening up your work-place for a morning or afternoon? Email susan.stirling@gov.scot
  • TikTok | A first for Scotland’s built environment and natural profession | First story about our work-places | Follow SYPN Planning Environment and Design | from 13 June
  • Rural Places | Check out the media links created by Highlands and Islands Enterprises in June’s Schedule.
  • In Your Own Words | Read and listen to planners who live and work in rural areas | 25 June | Planning Architecture and Regeneration Directorate’s PARD Linkedin.
  • Scottish Government Bursaries | Make sure you get your applications completed | Some closing dates start at the end of June | Details
  • Mentoring opportunities with the RTPI | Details
  • Licientiate opportunities with Planning Aid Scotland | Details jo@pas.org.uk
  • RIAS Awards | Enjoy award winning work from the shores of Harris to the heart of urban Dundee Details
  • RTPI Scotland Awards for Planning Excellence | Wish the shortlist good luck! | Details
  • Renewables360 | Opening up the workplace of largescale infrastructure |  Details
  • Lock16 | Delivery of Rural Skills Apprenticeships | Historic Environment Scotland | Details

 

Summary of the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan

More details about the National Planning Commitment Plan have been set out including Aims, Approach, and Assessment.

Read a summary of National Planning Skills Commitment Plan

STAKEHOLDERS

100% commitment from stakeholders 

Stakeholders have committed their support, through some form of action, to the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan. For now, this includes over 100 people, across over almost 70 organisations. Everyone’s support has come into play at different times and the stakeholders have agreed to work collectively to help address Scotland’s skills agenda.

The Stakeholders that are part of the Commitment Plan, so far, have either already been linked to the planning skills agenda, or have been introduced as fresh contacts, including some specialising in skills promotion.

Commitment Plan Stakeholders are listed alphabetically below.

SIGN UP - NATIONAL PLANNING SKILLS COMMITMENT PLAN

There is no exclusivity to committing to playing a role within the Commitment Plan. 

If your organisation wishes to join the Commitment Plan, please contact the Scottish Government Planning Architecture and Regeneration Directorate via susan.stirling@gov.scot and they will be happy to explore with you how best to work together.  

The Scottish Government is grateful to every stakeholder who has agreed to support the Commitment Plan and look forward to working with you. 

WITH THANKS TO EVERYONE 

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a photograph taken from above of two hands from two people drawing together on a plan of streets Drawing plans together: 2025