As one of the Trailblazer practices that led the development of the Modern Apprenticeship Standard for Architecture, Scott Brownrigg is pleased to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2020.

From 3-9 February 2020 employers, apprentices and teachers are celebrating the diversity and value that apprenticeships bring to employers, apprentices and communities across the UK today.

Architectural Apprenticeships enable us to play a key role in shaping the future of architectural education, promoting access to the profession to the next generations whilst increasing diversity and inclusion. Here, apprentices, mentors, universities and key players on our Apprenticeship scheme reflect back on our first year of apprenticeships:

“I was attracted to becoming an apprentice through the invaluable opportunity to gain experience alongside studying. Within my team, I have been able to establish skills in new software, take on new design processes and thinking as well understand the role the architect plays in large-scale projects. I have then been able to use this knowledge within my study. In the short time since I have started working I have already felt a vast amount of support from my design team and wider departments to help me develop my skills and understanding I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to.”

Joanna Koning, Architectural Apprentice (Level 7)

“I have been working as an Architectural Technician for 6 years now and have been trying to find an appropriate way to make the transition and qualify as an Architect for the last 3 or so. When the Apprenticeship scheme came along it seemed to tick all the boxes for me. I could continue working and developing my skills, portfolio and career while catching up on all the education I’ve felt I was missing for years - not to mention that it gets me past the barrier of extortionate fees that, as a mature student with a previous degree, I’ve had quite a lot of difficulty in circumventing!”

Steve Jell, Architectural Apprentice (Level 6)

"I feel that an apprenticeship offers me different learning experiences, I can work and study at the same time. The apprenticeship programme provides me with a structured training programme whilst working towards my qualifications. It helps me gain the skills and knowledge I need for the industry. I can apply my learning directly to my role at work."

Amy Allwood, Architectural Apprentice (Level 7)

“Mentoring apprentices is about learning as much as it is about teaching or rather facilitating teaching and learning. My apprentices teach me every day what it means to learn. A valuable lesson when I sit in client meetings explain a new design or strategy for a development.

Passing knowledge on to the next generation is a great privilege and as a mentor I can experience first-hand how the wealth of knowledge we have in our office helps shape this new generation of architects. Mentoring also involves close collaboration with the university team and other mentors on the course. This aspect is incredibly enjoyable and allows a connection of practice and academia that has eluded the profession for many years.”

Dagmar Binsted, Associate Architect and Mentor

“Architecture is a long and expensive endeavour. When only 7% of students who commence an architecture degree go on to become qualified architects, the apprenticeship route offers an alternative accessible gateway to qualification. It also provides the opportunity for us as qualified architects to ‘give back’ and influence architectural training directly.”

Albena Atanassova, Associate Architect and Mentor

“Having apprentices in our studios has been a truly exciting and enriching experience. They are fully integrated within our design teams, working on a variety of projects whilst learning and developing their skills. They bring fresh ideas and insights and work collaboratively whilst balancing their course learning. We find our apprentices to be highly engaged and committed and we recognise that this is an investment in the future of the practice.”

Aleksandra Paduch, Head of People and Culture

"The Oxford Brookes Apprenticeship programme drives for a paradigm shift in architectural education. Our vision is to Future Proof the Profession by providing a unique and fully integrated platform for social mobility and collaborative Research and Knowledge Exchange with our Industry Partners.

The Brookes innovative pedagogical approach focuses on; advanced design, critical thinking and problem solving skills that can offer real impact within the industry. Apprentices are exposed to global leading academics while gaining mentorship from Industry experts. Accelerating learning and providing the foundation for the professions next generation. We are honoured to be working with Scott Brownrigg who are instrumental in the continued development of the programme."

Karl Kjelstrup-Johnson, Apprenticeships Level 7 Programme Lead, Oxford Brookes University

“This new educational route welcomes diversity, fresh thinking and collaboration between apprentice’s, employers and academia. Currently London South Bank University supports a total of 85 apprentices engaged at all levels of our courses: 36 Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeships, at undergraduate, and 49 Level 7 Architect Apprenticeships, at postgraduate.”

Luke Murray, Associate Head of Architecture, London South Bank University

Find out more about our Architecture Apprenticeships here.