An innovative two-year apprenticeship programme founded by an international architectural practice is seeking employers in London to sponsor the scheme from September, as its builds on its successful foray into the capital.
PlanBEE – or Plan for Built Environment Education – offers apprentices a series of six work placements. They typically gain exposure to architecture, civil, structural, and services engineers, quantity surveying, and construction management.
The students spend four days a week at work and one day at college, earning money from day one, and are employed productively on real projects.
In a key difference from other work placement schemes, the companies, or “sponsors”, backing PlanBEE do
not employ the students directly. Instead, a separate subsidiary company invoices the sponsoring firms and pays the salaries of the apprentices.
This new approach is said to be proving a success in London after already operating successfully in Newcastle and Manchester. To date the scheme has provided 105 apprenticeships places with a 98% success rate of young people securing full time, permanent employment in the built environment upon completion.
PlanBEE was originally set up by international practice, Ryder Architecture.
Peter Barker, a partner at the firm, said: “For many years Ryder has been working with schools, colleges, universities and community groups to provide innovative programmes that help young people in their career development and understand the rewards a career in the built environment can bring.
“Ryder goes beyond simply bridging skills gaps, it wants young people to be excited by architecture, engineering and construction as an integrated industry, and to recognise the abundance of opportunities available to them in these professions.
“PlanBEE is a hybrid Level 4 and Level 5 qualification with Gateshead College, comprising HNC and HND qualifications in design construction and management. Digital design and coordination is also at the core of the learning, and students become extremely proficient in a range of software. It is also underpinned by the construction, design and build technician apprenticeship standard at Level 4.
“The holistic and rotational nature of the PlanBEE programme is one of its key strengths and an important differentiator to a costly university degree. By offering a diverse range of paid placements and experiences, the students not only build an invaluable understanding of how the sector works across disciplines, but they are left completely free to go in the direction that best suits them.”
Ryder makes it very clear that a key element of the programme is that – upon successful completion – there is a clear progression route and every student is guaranteed an interview for roles within the sponsor companies.
In London, Ryder has partnered with the London School of Architecture, and founding learning provider Gateshead College to deliver the programme.
PlanBEE currently offers apprenticeships with over 60 sponsor companies including: Arup, Cundall, Cast Consultancy, Fletcher Priest Architects, Gleeds, Mace, Morgan Sindall, Sir Robert McAlpine, and Ryder– many large, leading businesses in the field of architecture, engineering and construction as well as many SMEs consultants and contractors.
John Nahar, London School of Architecture’s engagement manager director, said: “The future of PlanBEE in London lies in the collaboration and support from industry. As young people in London take their first steps in their careers, apprenticeships offer the perfect opportunity to develop their skills, build their confidence, and prepare them on the pathway to a fulfilling career.
“At LSA we are passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people – particularly from under-represented sector demographics and underserved communities – and actively seek out new routes for young people to get in to architecture. Having the support of London practices, means we can offer more young people greater opportunities.”
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