National Apprenticeship Week (8 to 14 February 2021) is an annual initiative which celebrates the value of apprenticeships to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. This year’s event aims to showcase the resilience of apprentices and employers during the pandemic.
First introduced in 2018, there are now around 300 architectural apprentices enrolled with universities across the UK. As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke to apprentices, practices and universities to find out the value of apprenticeships to them and the wider profession.
Noah Fidler is an architecture apprentice at ERMC/Rainey Petrie Architecture, studying at the University of Portsmouth.
“I chose to do an apprenticeship because it meant I could combine a degree with learning on the job. Having previously studied Aerospace Engineering for two years, I realised it was the design aspect that I enjoyed, and that architecture allowed me to better utilise my design skills. There isn’t really a typical day, or at least there hasn’t been so far. I can be working on any number of different projects; from converting an office building to working on a pier.
“Because of the pandemic, I was initially furloughed, but I continued to attend university virtually and achieved a 2:1 in my first year. I was then part-furloughed which meant I could work from home two days a week. Having tried full time university and an apprenticeship, I don’t know why I didn’t do an apprenticeship to begin with. I have learnt so much more being at work and I don’t have to worry about getting a job as I already have one.”
Chris Chatwin, Architecture Director at ERMC/Rainey Petrie, recommends apprenticeships to give young adults the opportunity to progress.
“Apprentices have changed the profession and will continue to do so, particularly as the profession embraces more technology moving forward. It’s important that the industry has new, young talent supported in a career and I would advise any company to look at hiring apprentices as part of their business culture.
“As with a lot of practices, we have embraced home-working and this has definitely had complications and challenges around mentoring our apprentices. We have, however, encouraged the continuation of self-learning, and when the opportunity arises, our apprentices have been given projects to work on. We are very proud of what Noah has achieved to date, particularly through the pandemic, which has required a lot of self-motivation and concentration.”
Francis Graves, apprenticeships course leader at the University of Portsmouth, added:
"Our view is that degree apprenticeships offer a great alternative journey to becoming an architect. Students can experience practice concurrently with their university education, obtaining the benefits of both whilst having their tuition fees paid for. The current pandemic has prompted online teaching in the school, including apprenticeship courses. But although the delivery has changed, the requirements of the programme remain the same."
Amy Allwood is a level 7 architecture apprentice at Scott Brownrigg and Oxford Brookes University. She says:
"The apprenticeship programme provides me with a structured training programme whilst working towards my qualifications. Unlike the traditional route to qualifying, I gain four years' work experience. It has helped me gain the skills and knowledge I need for the industry."
Level 6 architecture apprentice at Scott Brownrigg and LSBU, Steve Jell, added:
"Having students in practice creates a young and fresh workforce. Taking on an apprentice also provides an employer with a steady resource in contrast to the on and off term times of a full time part 1 or 2."
Scott Brownrigg’s Director of Practice and RIBA Client Advisor, Helen Taylor, says:
“Scott Brownrigg are very proud of the amazing collaboration that delivered the modern apprenticeship route for architecture. Our first apprentices are now entering their third year. We have always invested in the next generation but the apprenticeship route gives us a unique commitment and relationship with both individual students and academia that adds value to the practice and will support diversity in the profession”
At RIBA, we can support you whether you're looking to become an architecture apprentice, employ an apprentice at your architecture practice or become a RIBA-validated training provider.
RIBA Future Architects also offers information and resources for students and early career architects.
Join our conversations about National Apprenticeship Week 2021 on social media using the hashtags #NAW2021 and #BuildTheFuture
