The changes follow recommendations made by the ARB’s independent Professional Practical Experience Commission.
RIBA Chair of Board of Trustees, Jack Pringle said:
“For some time now, we have been advising ARB that the seven year standard architectural course to RIBA qualification and ARB registration, comprising a minimum of five years academic and two years practice is hopelessly outdated. We would urgently like to see five year vocational courses to RIBA qualification and ARB registration. We believe this could reduce student debt, and enhance young architects' position in the workplace. So, although it has been a long time coming, we very much welcome the proposed removal of the current two year minimum requirement, replacing it with a more competency-focused approach.
Poor experience within practice has been widely published, following investigations by both RIBA and ARB and must be addressed. However, ARB do not have power over employers, their remit only covers learning providers, which is why they are putting the greatest responsibility onto them, which seems a poor point of leverage. It is the RIBA who can address employers through our Corporate Membership programme. While the detail of ARB’s requirements remains unclear, it will likely come at a financial cost to students, which would be unwelcome as we should be trying to ease the financial burden on our students. A full impact assessment is required to understand how these changes will ‘strengthen access to relevant and quality practical experience.’
As acknowledged by the PPE Commission, we have committed to redevelop our long established Professional Education Development Record (PEDR). With over 4,000 active users of it, and based on the original paper-based logbook, we are uniquely placed to understand how such a record can work in reality.
Training and retaining highly skilled architects from all walks of life is vital to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable architecture. We are committed to opening up routes into the profession, continuing to press ARB to follow through as quickly as possible on its long overdue and unnecessarily protracted education reform process, and making it a better workplace for all, through our review of the Code of Practice for chartered practices and associated guidance.
We continue to work with learning providers, students and practices to ensure that all routes into learning and professional practice work for all.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: Nancy.Ludwig@riba.org
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on X/Twitter for regular updates.
