Transforming Professional practical experience for Architects in training

[edit] Background

In February 2024 the Architects Registration Board (ARB) established the independent Commission on Professional Practical Experience (PPE Commission). The PPE commission followed a 2-year research and development programme which looked at a new regulatory approach to the way architects are trained. The programme ended in a consultation document containing its proposals: "Tomorrow's Architects: a consultation. ARB's Proposed Competency Outcomes for Architects", which ran from February until May 2023 and received 672 responses.

The analysis of the work and potential next steps were described in its "Consultation Report: Analysis report on ARB’s consultation on education and training reforms". Prior to this work, ARB had carried out a survey in 2021, the responses of which were summarised in its "ARB Education Survey Report June 2022' , its "Modernising the initial education and training of architects: Discussion document" and the "Review of Architects Competences. Report for the Architects Registration Board " from February 2021.

As highlighted by the links above, the Architects Registration Board have embarked on a review and potential reform of how architects are trained and educated over a period of years. Establishing the PPE Commission came at a time of change in architecture and architecture education:

• The rapid acceleration of technology, particularly generative artificial intelligence (AI), is influencing design and building processes.
• The climate crisis is becoming more urgent and unavoidable, bringing with it the need to transition the built environment to net-zero-compatible operation.
• The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 Report set out an extensive change agenda for all those working in building design and construction.

[edit] The initial proposals

ARB’s original proposals included:

• The structure of architectural education and training will change from the current approach (Parts 1, 2 and 3) to require only two accredited qualifications. This flexible structure will open up new entry points and enable a range of pathways for future architects. It will be based on both Academic Outcomes (equivalent to Level 7) and Practice Outcomes (gained through professional practical experience).
• Qualifications will be focused on competency outcomes based on what architects can do, not what they are taught. The competencies take a modern approach, based on research into how the profession and the world around it are changing.
• Clearer and stronger standards will be in place for universities and all learning providers delivering ARB-accredited qualifications.
• ARB will introduce an evidence-based quality assurance of qualifications, overseen by a new Accreditation Committee.

The aim has been to modernise the competencies required of architects in facing emerging and future challenges, and improve the flexibility and innovation for universities and other types of learning providers. It aimed to remove regulatory barriers and make the approach to quality assurance more proportionate, and create the flexibility for new routes to becoming an architect in the UK.

[edit] Independent Professional Practical Experience (PPE) Commission final report

Led by Professor Sir Chris Husbands, the PPE Commission published its final report with recommendations to improve the quality of practical experience for aspiring architects in the UK in March 2025. The Commission's findings, based on engagement with trainees, learning providers, and practices, highlighted that too much responsibility and risk currently lie with trainees, undermining the quality of their work experience. Some of the key findings and recommendations of teh PPE commission are outlined below, (for further information, full details and download visit this link)

• The current system was identified as having inconsistencies and inefficiencies in terms of securing practical experience, as well various challenges faced by students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds.
• Outcomes and transparency were recommended as focus areas, moving towards outcome-based learning and enhancing transparency in the arrangements for professional practical experience.
• Improved access to relevant and quality professional practical experience, with the suggestion of a co-ordinating role for learning providers.
• Develop a new Record of Competency (RoC) to track trainees progress.
• Equity and inclusion measures need to be enhanced in practical experience opportunities.

[edit] Action plan to improve access to high-quality relevant professional practical experience

On 29 May, 2025 ARB announced the publication of a comprehensive action plan to improve access to high-quality and relevant professional practical experience for future architects, following the recommendations made by the PPE Commission, which include:

• 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.
• ARB will set minimum requirements for evidencing practical experience which trainees will record through a new Record of Competency (ROC). ARB will convene a reference group – comprising representatives from learning providers – to co-develop the format and implementation of this standardised record.

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.

[edit] RIBA responds to ARB’s ‘action plan’ to reform professional practical experience (PPE)

On 4 June, 2025 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.”

For a full breakdown of the PPE Commission recommendations, ARB's response and the timeframe for this covering th topics Architect regulation, Learning providers and Profession and employers visit ARB’s response to the PPE Commission’s recommendations.

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