Minimum qualifications are four GCSEs or S grades. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed Could be a disadvantage due to over qualification. Experience Pre-entry experience is not needed Although any relevant experience is useful, eg vacation work in a planning dept, unpaid work shadowing, experience of dealing with the public, administrative experience, especially in a local authority. The basic entry requirements are four GCSEs or S grades. Mature applicants would need to have relevant work experience.
Competition Can be competitive in times of high unemployment as there is a large pool of applicants.
Some authorities prefer to recruit Planning graduates, as there is some blurring of the roles. Tips for entry Try to get vacation work in a planning department or arrange to do unpaid work shadowing. Alternatively try for administrative or clerical work in a local authority. Jobs are invariably advertised. Useful directories No specific directories but Municipal Yearbook may be useful.