National Apprenticeship Week (7 to 13 February 2022) is an annual initiative which celebrates the value of apprenticeships to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. This year's theme is 'Build the Future' and encourages everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career; and employers to develop a workforce with future ready skills.
Architecture apprenticeships were introduced in 2018, and with over 350 apprentices currently enrolled, we've been finding out about their value to those involved.
Priyanka Shah is an architecture apprentice at Ingleton Wood LLP, studying at London South Bank University.
“I completed my undergraduate degree full-time at university and felt like an apprenticeship would compliment working in practice and professional life. It’s been a major commitment, but I strongly feel it will help drive the future architect I’ll become.
My practice includes professionals across many disciplines, meaning I have access to guidance from experts, as well as making me more rounded as a designer.
There’s a lot to learn and I love the variety of projects, allowing me to appreciate the technical, architectural and commercial aspects. I think it’s important to understand the commitment you are making to your practice, the university and to yourself. Taking the apprenticeship route increases your responsibility and you are held accountable for so much more than just your own work. However, this really does prepare you for the real world and professional responsibility. If you understand the commitment early, and plan the few years with that in mind, you have a much smoother ride. It might feel like some sacrifices have to be made, but in the long run you’ll feel the benefits of being in practice alongside your studies.
I can definitely vouch for the apprenticeship route; although the 'university experience' is not the same, I’ve made friends with colleagues and people I’ve crossed paths with through work; plus earning a salary means I can enjoy social activities too!”
Priyanka’s commitment to the academic side of her apprenticeship was recently recognised when she was nominated by her university for the RIBA President’s Medals for her Part 2 dissertation submission.
John Dixon, partner in the Norwich office of Ingleton Wood LLP, believes that apprenticeships offer employers the potential to grow talent into the business, which has great appeal.
“For Ingleton Wood, apprentices are a key part of our recruitment strategy as we plan a new larger cohort in 2022 across all of our disciplines. We find these colleagues over the long term make some of our best senior professionals, who are now embedded in our management teams. Investing in the apprenticeship scheme remains our best method of securing high quality staff.
We try and provide a range of tasks for our apprentices to take on in their role with us as they develop. This might mean being part of a team delivering a small element of a large project initially, but as experience and skills evolve both technically and personally, we have allowed our young apprentices to take on a more senior role when we feel they are capable. In some cases, this can mean leading design, client engagement and communication, as they reach the later stages of their apprenticeship prior to qualification as architects. We find the combination of depth of understanding of real-life challenges gained in practice, paired with the creative and academic approach of university that apprentices go through, makes them very rounded members of staff”.
John says that whilst it is important to research the commitment involved when considering hiring an apprentice, the benefits of the scheme are clear.
“Our advice is to look carefully at what the course offers to make sure you fully understand the undertaking required, both in terms of the student having time away from the workplace when they need to study, and the time requirement from the student’s mentor in the practice to engage with the university. With the right support from the university, apprenticeships allow the ability to learn without the potential of significant university debt for some. This must be a positive contributor to motivating talented people into the profession, which may otherwise have been perceived as inaccessible or daunting due to factors around time and money required to qualify."
At RIBA, we can offer guidance whether you're looking to become an architecture apprentice, offer an apprenticeship at your university or employ an apprentice at your architecture practice.
We also support students and early career architects through RIBA Future Architects.
Join our conversations about National Apprenticeship Week 2022 on social media using the hashtags #NAW2022 and #BuildTheFuture
