Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Working Life

Planners will examine transport needs from a variety of angles. An example of a work project is forecasting the effect that a new shopping centre will have on traffic flows and public transport needs.

If working for a bus or train company they will contribute to the development of new routes.

The work is heavily research based, taking in direct surveying and the application of statistical knowledge when modeling transportation methods.

It can be very technical, making use of computer programs designed specifically for transport planning.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Recommend transportation system improvements or projects, based on economic, population, land-use, or traffic projections.
• Define regional or local transportation planning problems or priorities.
• Participate in public meetings or hearings to explain planning proposals, to gather feedback from those affected by projects, or to achieve consensus on project designs.
• Design transportation surveys to identify areas of public concern.
• Interpret data from traffic modeling software, geographic information systems, or associated databases.
• Prepare reports or recommendations on transportation planning.
• Design new or improved transport infrastructure, such as junction improvements, pedestrian projects, bus facilities, or car parking areas.
• Analyse information related to transportation, such as land use policies, environmental impact of projects, or long-range planning needs.
• Collaborate with engineers to research, analyse, or resolve complex transportation design issues.
• Evaluate transportation project needs or costs.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

There are postgraduate courses in transport planning available, but many working in the field will come to the field through courses in subjects fundamental to transport planning, some of the most common are geography, civil engineering and certain social science fields.

There are a variety of suitable undergraduate programmes and courses.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: landscape architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, planning and environmental management, pre university engineering.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: landscape architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, planning and environmental management, pre university engineering.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: architecture, architectural technology, planning and policy, spatial planning, environmental management, civil engineering.

Search for CAO Courses

Town planning support can work in a variety of settings, local authorities or in private companies in line with Irish Planning Institute (IPI). 

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €70k

Salaries vary by location, employer, duties, role, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln/ Sigmar/ Indeed/ Jobs.ie/ Clark/ Excel

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Architects, Quantity surveyors, Town planners, Chartered surveyors, Chartered architectural technologists.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

This occupation had a negative annual average employment growth rate over the five-year period, with employment declining annually since 2021; the numbers employed across the roles within this group are too small to determine which are particularly contributing to the decline. The number of job adverts were also relatively small (mainly for architects, town planners and quantity surveyors). Despite this, our other data sources point to issues with attracting suitably qualified persons for these roles.

Employment permits issued in 2023 were mainly for quantity surveyors and architectural technologists. The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues with sourcing quantity surveyors while the Skills for Growth data identified issues with sourcing experienced (2-5 years) façade designers, quantity surveyors and architects with knowledge of codes, regulations and fire safety, as well as experience with tender documents.

There were over 750 architecture related awards in 2022; of these, 155 awards were made to learners on RIAI accredited programmes (i.e. qualified architects), which fell slightly from nearly 170 awards in 2021, but was 44% higher than in 2018, There were 288 awards in quantity surveying at levels 8, considerably higher than the 144 awards in 2018. Demand for these skills is likely to continue with shortages persisting for quantity surveyors (albeit small in number given the small number employed).

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