Foster + Partners has collaborated with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to approve two Apprenticeship Standards in the UK, which will be the UK’s first Architecture Apprenticeship Standards, in collaboration with RIBA, ARB and over a dozen UK universities. 

Foster + Partners has chaired a Trailblazer Group of 20 architectural practices to develop two Apprenticeship Standards: Architectural Assistant (Part 1) and Architect (Part 2 and Part 3), which have currently been approved by the Institute of Apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships combine practical experience in the workplace with academic training provided by a university. The academic training can be delivered by any UK university offering an ARB prescribed qualification. Apprentices will be exempted from paying tuition fee and will also receive a salary and other employee related benefits.

"The apprenticeships have been set up to improve the link between practice and academia, while also contributing to improving diversity in the profession," said Foster+Partners.

"The approval of the scheme demonstrates how the industry can work together to make a positive contribution in the development of the profession."

"This vital initiative will help us to improve the diversity of our profession, to attract young people to study architecture and provide more accessible routes to qualification and employment opportunities. The exposure to contemporary architectural business will be a major benefit for students and practices will also benefit from the challenge of a new commitment to developing talent," said RIBA President Ben Derbyshire. 

"The new Apprenticeship Standards will help to encourage the widest talent pool and address the underrepresentation of architects from lower socio-economic backgrounds who, without parental support, face barriers to full-time education."

"The RIBA will now work hard to broker relationships between practices and schools to meet the potential of this new route to qualification and create the infrastructure for life-long learning in practice," added Derbyshire.

The Architecture Trailblazer Group includes:

- Chair – Foster + Partners

- Lipscomb Jones Architects (Architectural Assistant standard sub-lead)

- Hawkins/Brown (Architect standard sub-lead)

- Seven Architecture (Architectural Assistant assessment sub-lead)

- Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (Architectural Assistant assessment sub-lead)

- Scott Brownrigg (Architect assessment sub-lead)

- Pollard Thomas Edwards (Architecture Apprenticeships Guide sub-lead)

- Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

- ARUP

- BDP

- Grimshaw Architects

- HLM Architects

- HOK

- HTA Design LLP

- Perkins + Will

- PLP Architecture

- Purcell

- Ryder

- Stanton Williams

- tp bennett

For more information on the two apprenticeship standards, visit pages for Architectural Assistant and Architect. A number of universities are expected to be ready to deliver courses in September 2018.

Top image courtesy of Foster + Partners

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