The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has published an action plan to improve access to professional practical experience for future architects, after recommendations by an independent Commission.
ARB writes:
The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has published a comprehensive action plan to improve access to high-quality and relevant professional practical experience for future architects. This follows the recommendations made by the independent Professional Practical Experience Commission.
Key actions include:
- Creating a co-ordinating role for learning providers:
ARB will work closely with learning providers and those involved in architectural education through a series of focus groups to define the detailed requirements and responsibilities of a new co-ordinating role. The role will be set out in ARB’s Standards for Learning Providers and Accreditation Handbook, and will be subject to a public consultation.
- Introducing a standardised Record of Competency (ROC):
ARB will set minimum requirements for evidencing practical experience which trainees will record through a new ROC. ARB will convene a reference group – comprising representatives from learning providers – to co-develop the format and implementation of this standardised record.
ARB has previously Commission’s acknowledged the findings that too much responsibility and risk lies with trainees on their route to registration. The measures outlined in the plan are intended to enhance transparency, prioritise outcomes, and ultimately improve the trainee experience and access.
Alan Kershaw, ARB Chair said: ‘Professional practical experience is central to a trainee’s journey to becoming an architect and achieving professional registration. The plan that we have set out today recognises the vital role learning providers play in shaping how aspiring architects gain the experience they need. The new co-ordinating role will need to work for all learning providers, so we’re going to design it with them to ensure it is flexible but also, crucially, effective for trainees.’
ARB’s plan for professional practical experience adopts all but one of the independent Commission’s recommendations. While ARB does not plan to mandate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in mentoring, it acknowledges the importance of mentoring in driving the cultural change needed across the profession. ARB is actively exploring ways to support architects in developing mentoring skills.
A detailed breakdown of the actions and timeframes is available on the ARB website. Stakeholders interested in joining focus groups or the new reference group are invited to engage via ARB’s Architectural Educators Engagement Network.
