DHA’s Graduate Programme: August 2024 Update

DHA’s in house #graduatetraining scheme prepares for its third round of participants in October, which will see #graduates from across DHA’s #Planning, #Transport, #Design and #Land disciplines introduced to the fundamentals of the industry through an exciting and varied mix of practical, theoretical and business skills sessions, aimed to equip our graduates with the array of skills needed to work within an inter-disciplinary practice.

 

Co-ordinator of the programme, and Associate Director, Emma Hawkes has worked on the development of DHA’s #graduatescheme since its inception in 2021, and we asked Emma how the scheme has evolved, and how it contributes to the future success of DHA:

 

“The inhouse graduate training programme goes from strength to strength. Our programme started in 2021 when we had 11 graduates on the course, and by September 2024 we will have seen 21 graduates complete the programme. I feel really passionate about ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills and the knowledge which they need to develop their careers and that they all have the opportunity to learn from, and tap into, the wealth of experience which is here at DHA.

 

It is very much a learning programme for all, not just the graduates on the programme, but also for the module presenters. Maintaining the involvement of senior members of staff in the presentation of modules and getting our alumni actively involved in both the module preparation and presentation is key to the future success not just of the graduate programme, but for DHA as a whole.”

 

Sessions are primarily delivered by our own in-house experts, and with the scheme in its third iteration, the alumni of the very first training programme, many of whom have now progressed to more senior roles in the business, will be back and continuing to develop their skills by presenting a selection of sessions themselves.

 

DHA’s Matthew Porter was part of the very first programme in 2021 and having progressed from Graduate to #SeniorPlanner, will be continuing to develop the skills and knowledge base which is integral to the role by taking our new graduates through the basics of the #planningsystem and #LocalPlan making:

 

“The programme was a fantastic opportunity in my early career to engage with fellow graduates and to experience the many specialist disciplines DHA has to offer, ask questions in a friendly and supportive environment, and gain practical experience applying the skills and knowledge gained at University in a professional setting. To be presenting sessions on topics which have since become my own area of expertise is a genuinely proud moment and testament to the progression enabled by the programme.”

 

This year’s #graduates will be starting their first session in mid-October 2024, and whilst it may be only August, the programme is already searching for prospective candidates for Autumn 2025. For more information on DHA’s #graduateprogramme please get in touch or visit our Careers page .