The survey, carried out by Heriot Watt University for the Improvement Service, states that planning services contain many strengths on which to build. Many staff and very experienced, possessing a range of technical and transferable skills. They are also willing to develop skills and knowledge. However, heavy workloads, particularly amongst middle-ranking and support staff, act as a major barrier to further training and development. 

The survey set out to explore the skills needed in planning authorities, and the availability of these skills amongst current staff. It also looked at the availability of opportunities to participate in training, and barriers to participation. 

The top five skills considered core to the job are all generic – team working, written communication, time management, customer care/focus, and problem solving. The top five technical skills are community engagement, planning law, urban design, promoting sustainability and plan making/policy writing. 

The survey also asked about the skills planners and support staff feel need to be developed. The answers included IT/e-planning, design, planning law, project management, presentation, SEA/EIA and negotiation/conflict resolution. These will be used to inform the development of the Planning Development Programme. 

The full report of the skills audit is now available to download, and comments on the results or the report itself are welcomed. The second stage of the research is the development of a skills framework that will identify the range of skills and knowledge needed within planning services to deliver modernised services. 

Further information