Planning Apprentice — Hybrid Role with Flexible Hours in Huntingdon

At HDC, we’re proud of the difference we make every day. We’re committed to delivering high‑quality services that support our communities, residents and businesses to thrive - and that starts with attracting passionate, talented people who want to make a real impact.

Located at the heart of the Cambridge–Peterborough Growth Area, Huntingdonshire is a district full of character - from vibrant market towns to distinctive villages, each with its own story to tell. As a forward‑thinking and ambitious local authority, we put our residents at the centre of everything we do, guided by our iCare values: Inspiring, Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful and Enterprising.

Join us in shaping the future of Huntingdonshire.

Are you curious about how places grow, change and evolve? Do you want to play a role in shaping the environments where people live, work and connect? We’re excited to offer an opportunity to join our Planning Service as a Planning Apprentice within our Development Management Team. This is your chance to begin a rewarding career in planning - gaining valuable real‑world experience while learning from experienced professionals in a supportive and collaborative environment.

As a Planning Apprentice, you’ll be at the heart of how decisions about development are made. You’ll:

• support the team in managing planning applications from start to decision
• gain hands‑on experience assessing proposals against planning policy and legislation
• help prepare reports and recommendations that influence the future of local communities
• work closely with residents, developers and colleagues—responding to enquiries and providing clear, practical advice
• assist with planning investigations, meetings and community engagement activities
• contribute to the smooth running of the service through a range of administrative and project tasks.

No two days will be the same. You’ll develop a strong understanding of how planning shapes places—and the real impact it has on people’s lives.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• enthusiastic and motivated, with a genuine interest in planning, the built environment or local government
• a clear communicator, able to engage positively with a wide range of people
• organised and detail‑focused, with the confidence to manage tasks and priorities
• comfortable using IT systems such as Word and Excel
• adaptable and keen to learn, with a proactive approach to new challenges
• a strong team player who is also confident working independently.

Most importantly, you’ll be someone who is professional, approachable and excited about developing your skills while making a meaningful contribution to Huntingdonshire’s future. This apprenticeship offers more than just a job - it’s a chance to build a long‑term career in planning, develop valuable professional skills and be part of a team that genuinely makes a difference.

An offer of employment is conditional upon having the right to work in the UK. HDC does not hold a Sponsorship Licence and is unable to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or take over sponsorship for any role.

To apply for this position, please complete the application form. We look forward to hearing from you. The closing date is 9am 19 June 2026 and interviews will be held the week commencing 29 June. However, this is a rolling campaign and we'll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and will close the advert early should we receive suitable applications, so please don't delay in applying!

For many of our roles, our hybrid work model enables employees to work remotely while allowing for in-office collaboration opportunities across the district, with an expectation of being in the office at least two days a week. However, please note that some positions may require a more consistent presence in the office due to the nature of the work.

Please note that the official closing date is as above, and will be the correct date. Some third-party websites may have different dates. Please refer to the HDC website for the official closing date to ensure you do not miss out on applying.

As an employer who values diversity of thought, we seek to employ candidates from a range of backgrounds in order to make our organisation more innovative. We are seeking candidates who are looking for their next career opportunity and are supportive employers, enabling our staff to work in an environment that produces high standards of work in an employee-led environment.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment and along with our values we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment, where diversity is valued and there is equality of opportunity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community and we offer a range of benefits, including flexitime, to encourage a work-life balance.