As World Town Planning Day approaches, new research warns of a looming recruitment crisis in the planning profession – with most recent graduates saying the industry is failing to reach young people early enough.
A survey by national planning consultancy Boyer found that 11 out of 12 graduates believe there is an information gap for those considering a career in planning.
The findings come amid mounting concern over the government’s decision to restrict funding for Level 7 chartered town planner apprenticeships from January 2026 – a move that could remove 200 planners a year from the pipeline.
The warning arrives at a critical moment for the sector. With the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes dependent on a skilled planning workforce, the loss of future talent risks slowing development and widening regional disparities in delivery capacity.
LOW AWARENESS
Boyer’s survey suggests awareness of planning as a career remains “stubbornly low”, with many graduates only discovering it by chance at university or after working in other industries.
The profession’s visibility problem is compounded by perceptions that planning is bureaucratic and technical, rather than creative and socially impactful. Many graduates said planning is overshadowed by more prominent built environment careers such as architecture and engineering.
Respondents called for coordinated action across government, employers and education to promote planning earlier in schools and sixth forms, introduce more internships and placements, and make career pathways clearer and more accessible.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN
Boyer’s research also found strong enthusiasm among those who had entered the profession. Graduates described planning as “rewarding, challenging and purpose-driven”, with opportunities to shape communities and influence how towns and cities evolve. But without urgent intervention, the report warns that this enthusiasm may not be enough to offset the growing shortfall in new entrants.
“There is more to be done to reach potential future planners.”
Simon Atha (main picture, inset), Director at Boyer, says: “As we celebrate World Town Planning Day 2025, these findings are important to note and something all employers within the planning and development industry should act on.
“We have a profession that people are passionate about once they discover it, but there is more to be done to reach potential future planners early enough.
“The government’s restriction on Level 7 chartered town planner apprenticeship funding makes an already difficult situation worse, potentially removing an estimated 200 planners per year from the pipeline at precisely the moment we need more, not fewer planners.”
