National Apprenticeship Week

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week!

We think that apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience and practical skills while studying. They help to build careers and open up new opportunities. We have two apprentices at Cannon Clarke Architects, Lilly Clarke and Gabrielle Watts-Da Silva.

Lilly is our Digital Marketing Apprentice. She has picked things up quickly and has made great progress. She works closely with the team to develop media content, campaigns, website pages, and support communications. All while working towards her multi-channel marketing qualification, A-level equivalent, at Swarm Training. Gaby is our Part 1 Architectural Apprentice. We are impressed with the progress she has made in a short space of time and she’s proving to be a great designer. Gaby has learnt lots of new skills and she’s already working on some exciting projects while studying for her BA (Hons) Architecture degree at London South Bank University.

They’ve both learnt a lot in the time that they’ve been here and are really enjoying the experience. We’re happy to have them as part of the team and excited to see what they’ll achieve in the future!

Do you think apprenticeships are a good alternative to full-time study?

We asked Gaby two questions about her experience as an apprentice at Cannon Clarke Architects:

1. What has been the most valuable thing you’ve learnt so far in your apprenticeship?
The most valuable thing I’ve learnt that making mistakes along the way is one of the most effective ways to grow. This apprenticeship is a challenge and requires hard work and dedication, yet the rewards are significant.

2. What inspired you to choose an apprenticeship in architecture?
This apprenticeship aligns perfectly with my career aspirations as it allows me to grow as a designer while contributing to meaningful projects early on in my career. It provides the opportunity to combine academic study with practical experience and it’s a great alternative to full time university, allowing me to earn while I learn and avoid the traditional study costs.

We also asked Professor Igea Troiani, Head of the School of Architecture and Planning at London South Bank University for her insights on apprenticeships:

1. What opportunities do apprenticeships in architecture provide to students that traditional pathways might not?
Unlike undertaking a full-time or part-time course of study in Architecture, an apprenticeship in architecture offers professional and financial benefits to a student. An apprentice is working toward their degree in architecture while gaining invaluable experience working in an architect’s office or in a relevant part of the construction industry. An apprentice is paid a salary while studying and don’t have a debt to repay after graduation.

2. How do you see apprenticeships shaping the future of the architecture profession?
Students who study degree apprenticeships have a big role to play in the future of the architecture profession. This is because they are not only grounded in real world architectural projects but their degree apprenticeship education in the university offers them the mind space and skills to go beyond what is existing practice to imagine new built environment worlds.