There is no standardised definition of the various planning job titles, but given you currently have 50-60% of 1 years’ experience in a planning role and have never been to site, I would pitch you as a junior or assistant planner.
Mike is right in that it sounds as though you won’t progress very far up the ladder with your current firm, but before switching to a different job I would advise you get as much out of your current role as you can to make you more attractive to future employers:
When you create tender/construction/finishing programmes, I presume someone else gives you the information to put into Asta? If so, pick their brains –why this duration? Why this logic? Why this construction method? Etc
Discuss with your employer about spending time on site. This is really important for your development, and will also make you better at your day job, so they might be amenable. Maybe you could propose doing an extra 1hr a day Mon - Thu, to clear your desk Fri so you are free to visit site. If you do get to site, spend your time shadowing the guys at the coal face & asking stupid questions. This can be annoying for the site guys, but a good way to keep them on your side is to bribe them with bacon butties.
If your current job is permanent one, there might be a training budget you could call on. Look into starting the path towards CIOTB or APM accreditation (or the Guild of Project Controls, once it gets off the ground). Also get yourself a CSCS card.
You don’t mention what you studied at uni, but if you have a degree in a related subject (engineering, project management or construction) then this will be a big plus for future employers.
When you do look for your next role, I would strongly advise trying to find a junior planner / planning assistant role where you will be working with an experienced planner, and based on site. This will probably mean one of the larger construction or consultancy firms. I disagree with Mike about it being a good thing that you are self-taught. I think the chances that you pick up bad habits without even realising it are much higher if you don’t have an experienced planner guiding you in the first few years of your career.
Finally it’s worth mentioning that someone like you who can use the software but doesn’t have much idea about how the work is actually done on the field is often called a “software jockey” in the trade. There are a lot of them about, and it’s not uncommon to see them calling themselves planners or senior planners, and charging £300 - £400 a day in the UK on contract. Employers are slowly starting to realise they are being fleeced so I think (hope) their days are numbered –don’t go down this route for a fast buck.
Will do. I have already signed up with Gold Group but hadnt heard of Project Reource of which I am a new member so thatnks again for the info! I hope I can find my place soon.
Member for
16 years 7 monthsHi Mark, There is no
Hi Mark,
There is no standardised definition of the various planning job titles, but given you currently have 50-60% of 1 years’ experience in a planning role and have never been to site, I would pitch you as a junior or assistant planner.
Mike is right in that it sounds as though you won’t progress very far up the ladder with your current firm, but before switching to a different job I would advise you get as much out of your current role as you can to make you more attractive to future employers:
You don’t mention what you studied at uni, but if you have a degree in a related subject (engineering, project management or construction) then this will be a big plus for future employers.
When you do look for your next role, I would strongly advise trying to find a junior planner / planning assistant role where you will be working with an experienced planner, and based on site. This will probably mean one of the larger construction or consultancy firms. I disagree with Mike about it being a good thing that you are self-taught. I think the chances that you pick up bad habits without even realising it are much higher if you don’t have an experienced planner guiding you in the first few years of your career.
Finally it’s worth mentioning that someone like you who can use the software but doesn’t have much idea about how the work is actually done on the field is often called a “software jockey” in the trade. There are a lot of them about, and it’s not uncommon to see them calling themselves planners or senior planners, and charging £300 - £400 a day in the UK on contract. Employers are slowly starting to realise they are being fleeced so I think (hope) their days are numbered –don’t go down this route for a fast buck.
Good luck!
G
Member for
13 years 6 monthsHi Mike, Will do. I have
Hi Mike,
Will do. I have already signed up with Gold Group but hadnt heard of Project Reource of which I am a new member so thatnks again for the info! I hope I can find my place soon.
Member for
19 years 10 monthsHi MarkIt is good that you
Hi Mark
It is good that you are self taught as you will not have been indoctrinated with planning abominations that infect the industry.
Have a look at the thread "Ban these planning abomiinations" and you will get my drift.
You will need to join a larger company and get some site experience with some mud on your boots.
A position that requires you to visit several sites will be ideal.
You need to get a lot of experience in the construction process before you can move up the ladder.
A planner knows how to build things - a scheduler works the software - some people can do both but not many.
Look at the PP jobs site and register with some of the agencies - Gold and Project Resource are sound people.
Good luck
Mike Testro