blog: A sneak peek into working as an Associate at ITP
Thursday 19th December 2019
We’ve been undertaking our staff appraisals here at ITP recently. I’m one of those people who really enjoys spending some time reflecting on what’s happened over the last 12 months and thinking about what I want from the year ahead… it’s like New Year’s Day, but without the sleep deprivation and internal debate about going vegan for January.
I’m an Associate in the Public Transport Team at ITP and thinking about the last year has really highlighted the variety and scope of projects I’ve been involved in; developing sustainable travel strategies for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in Northampton (with Development Consent agreed by the Secretary of State in October!), partnering with Southampton City Council to develop their Public Transport Plan for 2040, administering concessionary fares schemes (for four authorities plus a handful of ad-hoc support), challenging an appeal to the DfT, supporting Transforming Cities Fund bids, public consultation and workshops on the Isle of Wight… the list goes on.
My colleague Ian was right in his blog (here), when he said that the Associate grade is a sweetspot where you can really get stuck in with a project, but combine it with a management role that lets you understand and guide the process.
It really is the best of both worlds – the perfect mix of responsibility, authority, and accountability. It’s one of the great things about being an Associate at ITP; the opportunity to stretch yourself and your skills, while encouraging and supporting others to do likewise.
For my sins, I also manage the Birmingham office, which now has 16 staff spread over a range of disciplines. As well as making sure the bills are paid and we’re fully supplied with coffee (or risk the wrath of our Development Planning Team!), the role entails building on the community feel in the office and champion the ITP culture.
One of the great things that we’ve been involved in as an office this year is the West Midlands Combined Authority's Thrive at Work initiative, which aims to promote positive health and wellbeing in the workplace. As well as thinking inwardly, it’s also helped us focus our thoughts on what we can offer to the local community. One of the highlights of the year has been taking the office to volunteer at Queen Alexandra College (QAC) in Harborne, Birmingham.
A timely reminder that there’s more to life than just work – and as a father of three young kids, that’s definitely true.
I value the range of work I do at ITP, the responsibility and the people I work with, but also that as a company we’re very conscious of the bigger picture – recognising that a healthy work-life balance is critical… so I have no excuses to miss the school Christmas nativity this year.
Do you like the sound of being an Associate at ITP? Find out more about the roles and how you can apply for our latest vacancies here.