Upskilling Planners
APA Strategic Initiative
Practical Skills For Planners
Upskilling is a process of teaching or learning new skills relevant to a job or profession that helps employees adapt to changing needs.
About APA's Upskilling Planners Initiative
As the world around us shifts, planners must understand the dynamics of change and adjust to ensure they can continue to create great communities for all. This involves adapting planning processes and approaches and committing to continuous learning and upskilling.
APA has launched the Upskilling Planners Initiative to equip planners with the right skillsets to excel in dynamic environments shaped by evolving approaches and technologies. Our goal is to ensure planners are fully prepared for the future and equipped with the knowledge, insights, and skills needed to navigate changing environments adeptly.
Feel passionate about shaping the future of planning? If you would like to be involved in developing skills-based resources and training, don't hesitate to reach out to Sagar Shah, Senior Manager, Knowledge and Career Programs.
Recent Upskilling Events
The concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have become central to discussions in planning, aiming to ensure fair access to resources and opportunities for all communities. However, these terms often spark debate and discomfort among planners, policymakers, and community partners, particularly in more conservative parts of the country, raising questions about the roles and effectiveness of EDI initiatives.
This webinar delves into the evolving perception of EDI in planning, exploring what happens as these terms become taboo and what that means for planning policy and practice. Panelists define and contextualize EDI within planning, analyze the resistance to these concepts, and discuss their impact on policy and community engagement. This webinar investigates how alternative language might influence trust and the success of EDI initiatives in moderate or even antagonistic spaces.
Our Upskilling Portfolio
The Upskilling Planners Initiative portfolio of resources is tailored to address the essential skills planners need to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. From webinars on achieving proficiency in using technology for planning to workshops on honing soft skills like conflict resolution for politically charged community meetings, these resources are crafted to equip planners with practical methods and best practices that can be immediately applied for enhanced effectiveness at work.
Upskilling Resources
What We're Working On
New Programs coming in 2025!
This year we will address the skill gaps in data literacy, digital engagement, and active listening! Check back for programming in 2025.
Identifying Skill Gaps
The Upskilling Planners Initiative is anchored in APA Foresight, which focuses on understanding external drivers of change beyond our control, preparing for them, and determining the appropriate actions. We use strategic foresight to pinpoint the skills required to address emerging trends and challenges. In addition to leveraging APA's Foresight practice, we actively collaborate with diverse planning practitioners, researchers, and educators to identify skills gaps.
More Upskilling Resources
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Use These 5 Conflict Resolution Tips to Design Better Meetings
Don’t get bulldozed. Learn ways to navigate conflicts to achieve shared goals with stakeholders.by: Jon DePaolis January 11, 2024Don’t get bulldozed. Learn ways to navigate conflicts to achieve shared goals with stakeholders. -
Future-Proof Your Urban Planning Career with These 6 Important Skills
Critical thinking, empathetic listening, and cultural competency will help you upskill in an ever-changing world.by: Linda McIntyre, AICP November 09, 2023Critical thinking, empathetic listening, and cultural competency will help you upskill in an ever-changing world. -
Planners Manage Conflict Every Day: Here's How to Get Better at It
7 takeaways to help you anticipate challenges, use emotional intelligence, and problem-solve with critical thinking.by: Linda McIntyre, AICP October 12, 20237 takeaways to help you anticipate challenges, use emotional intelligence, and problem-solve with critical thinking. -
5 Ways Empathy Can Help You Be a Better Planner
Create a culture of care, address inequities, and grow your career by leading with this increasingly important skill.by: Corrin Hoegen Wendell, AICP September 07, 2023Create a culture of care, address inequities, and grow your career by leading with this increasingly important skill. -
Upskilling Ourselves and the Planning Profession
In an age of disruptors, planners are constantly called on to learn new skills. Here's how APA can help.by: Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP March 31, 2022In an age of disruptors, planners are constantly called on to learn new skills. Here's how APA can help. -
How to Overcome Local Pushback on Climate Action
From cost-benefit analyses to "climate ambassadors," communities are coming together to transcend this politically polarizing issue.by: Brian Barth September 16, 2021From cost-benefit analyses to "climate ambassadors," communities are coming together to transcend this politically polarizing issue. -
AI in Planning: Opportunities and Challenges and How to Prepare
Conclusions and Recommendations from APA's "AI in Planning" Foresight Communityby: Clinton Andrews, AICP, Keith Cooke, Alexsandra Gomez, Petra Hurtado, PhD, Thomas Sanchez, AICP, Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP, Norman Wright, AICP September 09, 2022This white paper summarizes findings from APA's "AI in Planning" Foresight Community and suggests initial ideas on how planners can prepare for AI and its potential impacts, how planners can ensure AI-based planning tools are used in equitable and inclusive ways, and what the role of the planner should be in developing and using AI-based planning tools. -
Using the Future to Create Dynamic Plans
This interactive, self-paced training will equip planners with essential skills to navigate change and understand how future uncertainties may impact communities. Learn to use strategic foresight in planning to effectively imagine the future and plan for change.- Amy Cotter
- Brett Fusco
- Alexsandra Gomez
- Robert Goodspeed, AICP
- Heather Sauceda Hannon, AICP
- Petra Hurtado, PhD
- Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
- Benjamin Zellers, AICP
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Embracing Conflict: Honing Your Conflict Management Skills
by: Jennifer RaittConflict is increasingly permeating through every aspect of our lives — and community meetings are no exception.
How Technology Is Shaping Planning and Your Career
by: David Wasserman, AICP, Thomas Sanchez, AICPMembers of APA's Technology Division continue the conversation on the technical skills and knowledge that emerging professionals need to consider to keep pace with the future of planning.