BARONESS ANDREWS TO LAUNCH RTPI'S PLANNERS IN THE WORKPLACE PROGRAMME

Published by webmaster for Royal Town Planning Institute in Communities

Baroness Andrews, DCLG's Minister for Housing and Planning in the House of Lords, will launch the Planners in the Workplace (PIWP) programme at 5.45pm on Thursday 29 June.

The launch will take place at a drinks reception at the end of day two of the RTPI’s Annual Planning Convention at the QE2 Centre, Westminster, London. Members of the media are invited to attend.

PIWP is a service designed to support planners in their roles at all stages of their professional careers, in both local authorities and the private sector, helping them develop as planners, managers and leaders and advising them on complex workplace issues. 

Some members have already begun using the service and so far the feedback has all been positive with comments such as:  "Many thanks for being at the end of the phone this morning – makes paying those annual subs worthwhile! " and another saying: "You might like to let your employers know that we are impressed with the service!”

Royal Town Planning Institute President, Clive Harridge said: "The PIWP Programme is important for planners in their daily lives, will offer a window into a more joined-up RTPI and is a step forward in the range of services RTPI can offer its members. PIWP is an exciting step forward.”

As it develops over time, PIWP will become a co-ordinated and continuous source of easily accessible oral and written advice, guidance and professional support on workplace, career development and professional issues.  It will provide clear benefits not only for planners, but also for employers, including local authorities, in terms of developing skill levels and improving staff retention. 

Components of the service will include:
 a directory of members       
 professional and careers advice available via a telephone/email hotline and a national network of professional advisors
 good practice guidance and updates, including guidance on workplace queries relating to the Code of Professional Conduct 
 a telephone hotline for legal and employment advice   
 multi-disciplinary action learning sets    
 email discussion groups
 links to CPD and PlanningMatters     
 fact sheets on management/workplace issues, available online other Web-based support, such as an "Agony Planner ".

Ends

Press release issued: June 27 2006