Why an Apprenticeship with the Planning Inspectorate?
As an apprentice in the Planning Inspectorate, you will work within one of our casework teams dealing with appeals, examinations, or applications. You’ll have three different 5-month placements across your apprenticeship, working in different teams, learning varied ways of working while building core skills. Where possible, placements will align with your studies, allowing you to reinforce knowledge and apply new skills in a real-world environment.
‘Our Service’ group plays a critical role at the heart of the Planning Inspectorate. Working closely with stakeholders, we deal with national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and ensure appeals are processed effectively and efficiently. You’ll gain experience and knowledge of different teams within these areas, working closely with customers, Inspectors and stakeholders.
We seek enthusiastic, motivated individuals committed to learning and development. You’ll adopt a positive approach, keeping efforts focused on top priorities. You’ll be detail-focused and enjoy the challenge of working at pace with a good level of personal responsibility.
You’ll work in a team of caseworkers in a high-performance culture with the customer at the heart of our work. You’ll collaborate with your team and leaders to deliver casework to quality, time and cost expectations. You’ll gain experience in different areas of the ‘Our Service’ delivery team.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Throughout your apprenticeship, we’ll support your development. You’ll have a dedicated line manager and apprenticeship coach who will regularly check in to support your learning and ensure you’re on track. You’ll be mentored by individuals across the wider team to support your learning across a diverse range of subjects.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Is a Business Administrator Apprenticeship Right for You?
An apprenticeship is a great way to earn while you learn. You’ll gain real work experience, build useful skills, and work towards a nationally recognised qualification — all while getting paid. Plus, there are no tuition fees as the programme is fully funded.
This is your journey. To succeed, you’ll need to be proactive: manage your time, seek out opportunities, and connect with others. You’ll get support from the Planning Inspectorate and your training provider, but your commitment is key.
In this role, you’ll:
You’ll be supported to complete a Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship. By the end, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to succeed in admin roles across the Civil Service, public sector, or private companies. Based on business needs and your performance, there may also be an opportunity for a full-time role in the Planning Inspectorate after the apprenticeship!
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This role is being advertised at Apprentice AO Grade
Salary for the APP AO Grade role is £22,728.
Working hours:
Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available.
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.
We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:
Essential Criteria
For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Application
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 8th September 2025
Interview Date: w/c 15th September 2025
Interviews will be held at The Planning Inspectorate, Runway East, 101 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6PU.
The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
ID and Documents
If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
The Planning Inspectorate plays a vital role in maintaining the checks and balances of the planning system.
We make sure development is carefully considered, the right homes are constructed in the right places, and green spaces are protected. We do so objectively in a fair, open and impartial way.
Working at the Inspectorate means being part of an organisation that makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live, the economy and environment.