It’s been a couple of months since we sent out the last PTRC newsletter and what a busy couple of months it’s been. You might be forgiven for thinking that we’d all dashed off on our summer holidays as soon as TPM was over, but no, we’ve been beavering away on the Autumn training programme. With three conferences and sixteen courses planned from September, and a similar line up in the pipeline for the Spring, it’s all go at Vernon Mews this Summer.
Amongst the courses starting in September are some of our old favourites – we’re bringing the Principles of Traffic and Transport 20 week evening lecture series to Glasgow and Manchester this year, as well as holding it in the usual London and Canada venues. This course provides an indispensable introduction to the broad array of activities that transport planners undertake. Experienced practitioners impart their knowledge of each topic, providing insight into underlying principles and a wealth of hints and tips. While this course has been designed with new entrants to the profession in mind, more experienced transport planners that are looking to broaden their knowledge base will also benefit.
Perhaps spurred on by the recent local growth funding announcements, the Introduction to Highway Design and Construction course is currently top of the list for bookings. This will be followed up by the Design, Construction and Maintenance of Highway Drainage Systems and Sustainable Road Repairs and Maintenance courses later in the year – an essential set of courses for anyone getting to grips with highway engineering and maintenance activities.
One of our new courses for 2014 is the 2 day, Transport Modelling for Non-Modellers course. This has been planned with the non-technical client or manager in mind and is designed to increase delegates’ confidence in commissioning, managing and reviewing modelling activities. Delivered by modelling experts, the course illustrates key concepts through hands-on, case study activities, providing participants with practical skills to take back to the office.
We’re currently planning a number of new courses for the next 6 months, mainly in response to forthcoming changes in guidance and legislation. We’re always keen to develop new courses in response to the industry’s requirements - if you have an unmet training need, and would like to develop a course to cover it, please get in touch with me
Emma Cockburn
Head of Technical Development, PTRC