Planning and Development Assistant 2026 (Year in Industry)

The individual should be able to undertake planning research, appraise development sites and opportunities, review planning policy, provide planning advice, and support development schemes. The role requires the ability to work closely with various stakeholders.

The individual must be at university working towards a minimum of a Batchelor 2:2 degree in urban planning, geography, or another relevant built environment / real-estate discipline. Alternatively, the individual can be completing their Batchelors degree and seeking experience before starting a Masters / Diploma year. At least two years of university must be completed by September 2026 to be eligible. Successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the scheme, as at the start date. This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa scheme.

Award-winning teams will support the individual’s ongoing development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experience. Professional development is supported through training, mentoring, and networking. The individual will receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from a placement manager (responsible for day-to-day management and development support), a scheme sponsor (senior manager acting as technical and professional adviser with line manager responsibility), a buddy (usually an apprentice or graduate who provides support and ensures the individual feels welcomed), and a development adviser (providing career coaching and career progression at TfL).

TfL values candidates who are:

• Caring about colleagues, customers, and work
• Open to new ideas and collaboration
• Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate

Students who have completed this programme have secured positions as planning consultants in large London real-estate practices. The placement is also relevant to those seeking built-environment careers in housebuilding and other development, surveying, property research and data, academia, innovation, sustainability, local government, civil service, and political and corporate communications.

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments to be completed within an allocated time frame. It is highly recommended that the individual reads through the document thoroughly to familiarise themselves with the process.

If the individual already holds qualification certificates, copies should be uploaded to the application. If final exams are due or certificates need replacing, these must be provided at a later stage.
Information and guidance will be provided at each assessment stage. Attention should be paid to emails and deadlines, noting there is 1 week to complete online assessments and TfL cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes.

Assessment centres for graduates and intern roles will take place from December-January, with many roles only having 1 assessment day and no guarantee of alternative dates. Assessment centres are conducted in person and virtually (role dependent).

TfL is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to represent the city it serves and become a more innovative and efficient organisation. TfL is a disability confident employer who guarantees an interview to any disabled candidate meeting all essential criteria. In high volume campaigns, including graduate, apprentice, and intern recruitment, the minimum criteria is achieving a pass mark in the first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments can be requested for any stage of the application process.

Contact
Phone: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30)
Email: EarlyCareersCampaigns@tfl.gov.uk