The 2018 Practice Experience Programme is a modified mentoring scheme provided by the Royal Society of Architects in Wales. It is offered to second year undergraduates currently studying at the Welsh School of Architecture with the aim of providing a brief ‘taster’ of the work of an architect in practice through a small number of contact sessions, to be conducted between 1 January to 1 May.
What are the aims of the scheme?
Through personal contact and regular involvement, the Practice Experience Programme is intended to create an opportunity for students to develop a basic understanding of professional practice in the context of the rapidly changing role of architects. In particular, we hope the exposure to practice during the second year of study will be an excellent preparation for the students' year-out experience in the forth year of study.
Who can become a Practice Experience host?
RIBA Chartered Practices, or practices with at least one RIBA Chartered Member, who accept the objectives and can meet the requirements of the scheme are welcome to become host practices. If new to the scheme, we ask practices to submit a brief practice profile with their register of interest form (available to download below). Students will be placed in small groups (min 2, max 6) for the purpose of the practice visits, with one student as the key point of contact. The aim is to give every student a flavour of life in practice.
As with previous years, we require practices to identify a key member of staff to be the main contact point for each student group. The key member of staff will usually be a RIBA chartered member with experience of practice in the UK or abroad. They should be architects committed to the future of the profession, prepared to offer advice and help. A successful host practice will have a relaxed, open, friendly office culture, where staff are able to listen and communicate effectively.
Role and responsibilities of a Host Practice:
- enhance the students’ academic education by demonstrating design in practice.
- offer an insight into the business of architecture and experience of practice (this might take the form of a site visit, client meeting, local authority negotiations, design review presentation etc).
- provide support on professionally related or business matters (for example, this might include an insight into developing client relationships or a workload/cash flow discussion).
- introduce the concept of professionalism and the value of a professional institute.
Next steps
If your practice would like to take part in the 2018 Practice Experience Programme please read the extended guidance on the Register of Interest form, which is available to download below. You can submit your completed forms by email to rsaw@riba.org, or by post to: RSAW, Studio 111, The Creative Quarter, Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF.
2018 Practice Experience Programme - Register of Interest form
We will let you know in early December if you have been selected as a host practice and details of your student group will be sent to you shortly afterwards.
