Application process

The ability to collaborate with a variety of individuals and organisations in a way that demonstrates an understanding of diversity, political sensitivity, and emotional intelligence. Meets and manages expectations to deliver outcomes through positive working relationships.

The ability to communicate clearly and openly both orally and in writing. Actively listens and balances diverse perspectives in order to articulate opinions and evidence with purpose. Selects the most appropriate communication channel to suit the intended audience.

The ability to manage time and prioritise workload effectively to achieve objectives and see things through to completion. Swiftly adjusts approach to address emerging needs and changing situations, priorities and landscapes.

The ability to accurately identify, analyse and interpret complex information from a wide range of sources to understand problems, draw conclusions and deliver well-informed solutions.

Has an understanding of local government and the context in which it operates. Demonstrates a passion and commitment towards serving and supporting the needs and interests of the local community to bring about meaningful, long-term, sustainable impacts.

Ability to take charge and assume responsibility for driving tasks and projects forward. Challenges the status quo and leads by example, developing and motivating others to achieve shared objectives through personal accountability and a commitment to excellence.

Demonstrates a passion for personal growth. Seeks out opportunities to acquire and apply new knowledge about processes, policies, national and international contexts, and legislations.

Maintains a solutions-focused mindset when things don't go according to plan. Is able to respond effectively and adapt and grow in the face of change or challenge.

Question: You have been tasked to lead on the next community engagement event aimed at raising the profile of your department while building relationships with architects, building developers and members of the local community. You have been given a budget of £2,500 and the event is scheduled for three months’ time. You need to produce your project plan and include available resources, timelines, interim benchmarks and deadlines. You also need to ensure the event is a success. What action do you take? 

A: You meet with your manager and ask about the previous event resources, timelines, interim benchmarks and deadlines and base your project plan on these. 

This answer is ok but it should not be selected as the ‘most likely’ response. 

B: You hold initial meetings with architects, developers and community representatives, and ask what they would want to get out of the event including any resources or information they would like to share, before meeting with your manager to produce your project plan. 

This is the best answer, so candidates should select it as their ‘most likely’ response. 

C: You produce your project plan based on feedback from previous events to learn what went right and what could be improved upon.  

This is a poor answer, candidates should select it as their ‘least likely’ response to the situation. 

Question: You are a member of a project team currently working on a critical project that requires coordination and collaboration across different departments. All members have high workloads in their day to day duties, including you. However, you have noticed a lack of enthusiasm and motivation among two team members from other departments, which is hindering progress. You want to encourage them to actively participate and contribute to the project’s success. What action do you take? 

A: You offer to provide resources and to support them, demonstrating your commitment to their success and the project’s overall success.  

This answer is ok but it should not be selected as the ‘most likely’ response. 

B: You organise a team-bonding activity with the team members from other departments outside of work hours to help build rapport and foster relationships. 

This is a poor answer, candidates should select it as their ‘least likely’ response to the situation. 

C: You speak to the two team members and ask them to tell you about any problems they may be facing. You also share the project’s goals and objectives, emphasising the potential benefits for their respective departments, and request their active involvement. 

This is the best answer, so candidates should select it as their ‘most likely’ response. 

Question: You have been working in your current position for a few years, and there is a new opportunity for a promotion in your department. However, the role requires skills and knowledge in areas you are not familiar with, but you feel confident that you are a quick learner and will be able to fulfil the requirements of the position. What action do you take? 

A: Speak to your manager about the opportunity and ask for tasks that will help you gain the required skills while your application is being processed.  

This is the best answer, so candidates should select it as their ‘most likely’ response. 

B: Research the required skills for the new role and enrol in relevant courses or workshops to upskill yourself. Wait until you have the necessary skills and apply when the opportunity presents again in the future. 

This answer is ok but it should not be selected as the ‘most likely’ response. 

C: Research the required skills for the new role and enrol in relevant courses or workshops to upskill yourself while your application is being processed. 

This is a poor answer, candidates should select it as their ‘least likely’ response to the situation. 

Unfortunately, Pathways to Planning does not have the authority to sponsor visas. Our partner councils will not sponsor visas as part of this scheme. In order to apply, graduates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme (three years from 31 March 2024)

Pathways to Planning requires applicants to have a minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree by 31 March 2024. If you have any additional qualifications, including a Master’s degree, this is completely fine. We only consider education to meet the minimum entry criteria: we will not consider your university of study, degree of study or level of achievement once we have established candidates’ eligibility for the programme. The one exception is that this programme is not suitable for graduates who are currently completing a Master’s degree in planning, as a fully funded MA or MSc in Planning will be provided as part of the Pathways to Planning programme. Graduates who hold educational qualifications in planning would be advised to seek support from the RTPI and/or employment opportunities directly with local councils.

Yes, all stages of the application process are required to ensure that all candidates are fairly and equally assessed against the same criteria, our competencies. We will make adaptations to the delivery of assessments where needed to support candidates with additional requirements, but each candidate will be measured against the same criteria at each stage.

If you have a disability, have received reasonable adjustments for a test/exam process in the past or believe that you are in need of reasonable adjustments in future, please get in touch with our team as far in advance as possible. We will have an individual conversation about how we can support you and make adaptations as needed so you have fair and equal access to the Pathways to Planning application process.

While we are a new graduate programme, we are building on the best practice of our sister programme, the National Graduate Development Programme for Local Government, and best practice from other public sector graduate programmes to ensure that our systems and processes provide the best possible experience to graduates who apply. 

Yes, once you have started the situational judgement test or the video interview, you can pause the assessment after you have answered a question or filmed your response to a question. You cannot pause either assessment with a question open on the screen. The situational judgement test is not timed, so we would encourage you to start the assessment when you know you have at least an hour of uninterrupted time so that you don’t put artificial time pressure on your assessment.

The video interview is a timed assessment and you cannot pause a question once you have begun. You will have the opportunity to re-record your answer to each question one time, and if you want to pause the assessment, you can do this after you have submitted an answer to one question before opening the next question.

If you have any additional requirements, which may require extra time to complete tests and exams, please get in touch with our team before you start the video interview so we can discuss reasonable adjustments. We provide 25 per cent, 50 per cent and 100 per cent extra time to candidates who require reasonable adjustments on the basis of their evidence and needs, along with other measures as needed. 

You should be able to complete each assessment using a mobile phone with a camera and internet connection; a laptop with a camera and an internet connection; a desktop computer with an internet connection and a camera.  If you have concerns about your access to the right technology, please get in touch with our team in advance of the closing date and we will find a solution for you.

The councils who are participating in Cohort 1 of Pathways to Planning are listed on our website, and your initial application asks you to express which region you would like to work within and more specifically, which of the partner councils you would like to work for. Prior to arranging the interviews in January 2024, to take place in February 2024, we will check if your circumstances have changed.

Our aim is to give you at least one interview with one of your top three preferred councils. If you have extenuating circumstances, such as caring responsibilities, a mortgage, etc, then we will take these into account when arranging interviews.