Introduction
Regeneration is an important activity for local authorities.
Actions that demonstrate regeneration can range from developing
docklands areas in cities to launching community-based businesses.
Regeneration encompasses economic, social and environmental
development and the skills required in a Regeneration Team and its
officers are just as wide-ranging. Helping a community start a new
company, advising groups or businesses about what grants they could
get, getting funds to improve housing or development or transport
systems - these activities are all in a day's work for a
regeneration officer.
The varied and interesting context for regeneration along with
its relatively recent development as a mainstream service of local
authorities means that as a service it may be found linked to any
number of longer established department structures. In the more
urban settings it may be part of an urban renewal unit; in others
part of an economic development team or as a community development
activity. Planning departments have historically hosted
regeneration while some local authorities may contract this
activity out to other development agencies or themselves host
externally funded regeneration projects.
Work Environment
Regeneration officers, although usually office-based, spend a good
deal of time out in the community visiting private, public and
community organisations and agencies. The varied nature of
the job means that there is always a need to work with people at
all levels and in differing environments, from children to chief
executives, pets to politicians. Being prepared to speak at a
public meeting, help with a community litter pick or attend a
construction site meeting requires their judgement to ensure that
they are appropriately dressed while still maintaining an air of
professional expertise. Working hours are usually 37 per
week, but evening and weekend work may be required.
Daily Activities
Regeneration officers will help local groups start and develop
regeneration projects. This means helping to identify the problem,
assess and sometimes implement the solution. Activities will
include offering advice and information to help groups secure
funding - (Both communities and businesses.) They may arrange
training for groups or encourage a community to take up external
funds to maximise advantages and available opportunities. They may
be asked to share and gather information to contribute to
consultations.
A key part of a Regeneration Officer's job is regular contact
with a wide range of colleagues and external organisations,
including business advice services and Chambers of Commerce or
charitable funders. They also need to be aware of political
changes, the impact of policy and how local actions fit in to the
wider strategic picture. Networking and partnerships working
underpins the regeneration service. In addition another major role
for regeneration officers may be in promoting tourism, both
nationally and internationally, to produce greater income for local
businesses and communities. The Regeneration Officers is
often a generalist but there may be specialist areas that he/she
can develop for example working to support projects that provide
funding for housing or transport, delivering community and business
support.
Skills & Interests
Regeneration Officers can come from a very varied work area, but
the main requirements to do the job are an ability to work
diplomatically with a wide range of people and groups. This
will be underpinned by a commitment to equal opportunities.
Supporting businesses and community development will involve
helping to interpret complex information, write reports and
complete all kinds of applications so the Regeneration Officer
needs to be literate and numerate.
Partnership working is high on the list of skills and the
officer should be a team player, but because of the nature of the
work outside normal office hours and on site the officer will also
need to be confident, self-motivated and able to make decisions.
Ensuring inclusion and encouraging people to engage into projects
in ways they feel comfortable means that ideally the ability to
converse in the Welsh Language may well be useful.
Entry Requirements
Experience in the workplace is usually important and the ability
to demonstrate skills at securing funding and a good knowledge of
grant systems, business support and community development are often
sought, alongside good communications, budget and project
management skills. Minimum academic entry requirements are
often at degree level but some employers may accept A levels /
Highers or equivalent. Although it is unlikely that any
specific degree subjects will be required for the general
Regeneration officers are often encouraged to train towards further
qualifications including higher degrees (such as MSc) in subjects
such as community work, urban regeneration or industrial
development.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
There are opportunities for urban and regional regeneration all
around the UK and it may often be necessary for officers to move
around the country to gain suitable openings. Officers may
work directly for a local authority, or for a contracted-out
organisation, or for a local/community agency that is funded by
central government. Career progression may be into national,
European and international funding agencies, urban or regional
planning or into regional development agencies.
Further Information & Services
Centre for Local Economic Strategies www.cles.org.uk
Institute of Economic Development www.ied.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.