Career Options

With around 5000 professionals currently working in the field of travel planning there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and find that job that is perfect for you.

Within the industry there is a large variety of work and many interesting jobs can be found working for very different organisations or businesses provided you are ready to get involved and take opportunities.

The travel planning field can be split into 5 main sections, although there is obviously some overlap and the sections are not exclusive.

For example many start out their travel planning careers working on a Personal Travel Plan (PTP) or an individualised Travel Marketing (ITM) Campaign which can be for local authorities, consultants or NGOs. Another popular first job in the profession is working on a short term contract interviewing people on the street or at homes and provide details of sustainable travel options to individuals in their areas, usually providing advice for specific journeys. Pay is around £10 an hour and projects tend to last around 3 months.

Local Authority

Working for the local authority, most likely as a staff travel plan coordinator or something very similar can be the perfect place to start as a travel planner with many opportunities available. Popular jobs include being a school travel planner, looking into initiatives to promote safe and sustainable travel for children and staff or a development control officer where you have the power to grant or deny permission for applicants for any form of development that requires planning permission. Other potential options include Regional office travel planner or facilities manager coordinating travel plans within a specific area or working for development control, securing travel plans.

Consultants

This sector deals with all lines of work. You could find yourself hired by a developer to produce a travel plan for new building work or could find yourself as a development officer reviewing a developers work to see if it is acceptable. Many of these jobs will be short term but provide an oppuntutiy for experience and to build a good reputation.

Businesses and Large employers

Most business of substantial size will have a travel planner in some capacity and if they are over 3000 employees they are required by law to have one for at least 3 years. Other positions include facilities management jobs or travel planners for business parks. The work required in working for the public sector or the private sector can prove to be different and it is important to get an idea of some of the main differences before starting.

Private sector- Many private sector businesses will produce a travel plan if required by there planning application. However major companies will employ one to save money and heighten public image. Companies such as GlaxoSmithkline and BskyB are examples of large private companies that will hire travel planners.

Public sector - Hospitals and Universities are two of the major public sectors that hire travel planners. With the NHS responsible for around 5% of the traffic on the road, planning for staff, patients and visitors proves to be critical. Universities also employ professors who do the main research and of course there are many opportunities to study for masters of PhDs in the discipline.

Non-governmental organisations

You could find yourself working for Campaign for Better Transport, Sustrans or Living Streets. They employ people who are devoted to sustainable travel. These group include people working on various campaigns and also aspects of travel plans.