Our graduate programme: FAQs

Apply by completing our Graduate Programme application form on our Careers page. Applications close on 31 October each year. Click here for more details of how to apply and what to expect during the recruitment process.

We aim to respond to all applications within two weeks of the application deadline.

Please direct any questions to careers@turley.co.uk.

The final stage of the interview process will be carried out face to face in one of our offices wherever possible. This is an opportunity to see our office and meet some of our co-owners.

As part of the application process, we encourage candidates to familiarise themselves with Turley and the role through their own research. No specific preparation is required in advance of applying. A well-written CV and covering letter will support your application by highlighting your relevant skills, experience and motivation. Further guidance on submitting a strong application can be found here.

Yes, there will be an opportunity to visit the office where you would be based during the recruitment process.

We will let you know the outcome of your application. Feedback can be shared where requested.

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible and appreciate that travelling to an interview can sometimes incur additional costs. Where travel costs may present a barrier to attending an interview, Turley may reimburse reasonable travel expenses. Please contact us before your interview if you would like to discuss the support available. 

No. Please include your anticipated grade on your CV when applying.

Yes. We advertise vacancies throughout the year on our Careers page. We encourage you to bookmark the page and follow Turley on LinkedIn to stay up to date with future opportunities.

The preferred qualifications will vary for each of our Services but should be relevant to your chosen specialism. We expect applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. While many of our Assistant level co-owners hold a master’s degree in a relevant subject, this isn’t always essential. Please contact us if you wish to discuss further before applying.

Yes. The programme is open to anyone with the relevant qualifications and is designed to empower people with the relevant skills, knowledge and opportunities to launch their careers in the built environment. There is therefore no expectation of previous experience in a built environment role. Applications are also welcome from individuals who already have experience in a relevant role and are interested in an Assistant role at Turley.

Positions are available subject to capacity within our offices. Please see here for available locations. Please note that available locations will only be listed when applications for our graduate programme are open.

The graduate programme starts in September each year, though there may be an opportunity to work with us on a part-time or temporary basis ahead of that time for those who are interested, alongside studies or during holiday times. Please let us know if this is of interest to you.

The formal graduate programme will last 12 months, beyond which a bespoke development plan will be put in place in discussion with your line manager as part of our usual Performance and Development process.

Places on the programme are offered on a permanent contract basis and we are keen to see co-owners grow and develop in their careers with Turley but if at some point you decide to move on, a normal notice period would apply.

The programme is designed as a shared experience where people can learn from and with one another through a structured programme of experiences and events. There will be the opportunity to meet up from time to time as well as to catch up virtually in between.

The graduate programme includes a structured training programme across the year covering skills which will set you up for success at the start of your career including assertive communications, presentation skills, commercial awareness, stakeholder management and more. Alongside the ‘classroom’ learning there will be on-the-job training with your local team and the opportunity to get together with other Assistants across the business. Across the length of the programme you will be offered support of a mentor or buddy.

The majority of our Assistants have completed their university studies, but we are happy to talk about flexible working options with you. Please get in touch to discuss your circumstances and what you are looking for.

We’d be happy to consider this. Please get in touch to discuss.

The programme formally begins in September each year. If the timing does not quite align with your studies, please get in touch and we can discuss your circumstances and possible options.

There will be an opportunity to include rotations of working within different teams which will be decided in discussion with you. There will be no obligation to spend time working in different teams.

Positions are available subject to capacity within our services. Please see here for available services. Please note that available services will only be listed when applications for our graduate programme are open.

Graduates on our programme will be Assistant Planners or Assistant Consultants.

Yes, graduate programme positions are permanent roles. The graduate programme will last around 12 months, beyond which your learning and development will be driven by our annual Performance and Development process alongside other co-owners.

You will be based in a ‘home’ location where you will meet regularly with your line manager. Some of the projects you work on will be from your home location, and there will also be the opportunity to work on projects in teams with our other services, sometimes remotely, sometimes face to face depending on circumstances.

There will be the opportunity to travel to some of our other office locations as part of the programme, for training courses and other events. Travel costs (and accommodation where needed) will be covered by the company and reasonable notice will be provided.

While there may be opportunities to work from home from time to time, we strongly encourage spending time in the office, especially to get the most out of the programme, gain the full benefit of working closely with colleagues, building relationships, and immersing yourself in the team environment. This will help you maximise your learning, collaboration, and overall experience in the role.

Turley offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive range of benefits to all co-owners. Salary levels may vary depending on location and will be discussed as part of the recruitment process. As an indication, we currently expect graduate starting salaries to be in the region of £26,000 to £29,000 per annum. Please note that salaries are reviewed annually. Final starting salaries will be confirmed closer to the time. If you would like to discuss salary and benefits before submitting an application, please contact careers@turley.co.uk.

A comprehensive reward package is offered with all our roles. For an Assistant level role, this includes 25 days’ leave in addition to public holidays, a flexible working allowance of £250 pa, an employer pension contribution of 5% (with the expectation that you would contribute 3% as a minimum), plus other core and flexible benefits. A performance related bonus scheme is available each year, and as an employee-owned company, all co-owners share in the profitability of the company through the annual Ownership Dividend.

Yes, we will offer you an experienced mentor to support you in preparation for the Assessment of Professional Competence. Your mentor can provide tips and feedback along the way, and you will have the opportunity to have your work reviewed ahead of submission.

Yes. You can work towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner through the RTPI Associate / A-APC route, even if you don’t have a fully RTPI-accredited planning Master’s degree.

The route allows you to build the required professional planning experience and competencies while working towards Chartered Membership (MRTPI). Depending on your existing qualifications, you can apply for Associate Membership (AssocRTPI) after gaining the required relevant planning experience (two to three years, depending on educational background – see the link below). You can then progress through the Associate Assessment of Professional Competence (A-APC), which requires at least two years of professional planning experience while registered as an Associate.

This means that not having a planning Master’s degree does not prevent you from achieving your RTPI Chartered status. Your professional experience, development, and demonstration of the RTPI competencies are key parts of the A-APC route.

For further information on the RTPI Associate Membership route, visit the RTPI website.