Apprenticeships offer a flexible, accessible, and inclusive way to become an architect.
In September 2024, the government announced plans to reform apprenticeships in England. A new Growth and Skills Levy will replace the current Apprenticeship Levy, and businesses will be asked to fund Level 7 apprenticeships outside of the levy.
Level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to a Masters degree, are a key point of architectural education. The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has recently made significant changes to the regulation of architectural education, resulting in only the recognition of masters-level and professional qualifications. This makes the Level 7 architecture apprenticeship more important than before.
Architects are also key to delivering the UK’s growth ambitions, including delivering 1.5 million homes, creating new towns, and achieving net zero. Skills England’s own analysis of current and future skills demands highlights that the government’s growth ambitions will require an increased number of architects.
However, without continued levy funding, many practices have told us that they will be unable to employ architecture apprentices.
What action has RIBA taken since this announcement?
RIBA has been engaging with government and key decision-makers to highlight the impact of these proposals and advocate for continued funding for architecture apprentices by:
- writing to the Skills Minister outlining the impact of defunding Level 7 architecture apprenticeships
- giving evidence at the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, where RIBA President Muyiwa Oki highlighted the role of Level 7 apprenticeships in ensuring the sector has the capacity to help deliver 1.5 million homes to high design and sustainability standards
- raising the issue with civil servants at the Department for Education (DfE), the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
- attending Skills England and DBT roundtables and voicing our concerns
- issuing a joint statement with the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planners Institute (RTPI)calling for an exemption from proposed changes
- showcasing the importance of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeships Week 2025, and using this as an opportunity to call on DfE to continue funding for architecture apprentices
- briefing Members of Parliament and Peers to raise awareness of the issue. Shadow Education Minister, Neil O'Brien MP, raised our appeal in Parliament for apprenticeships in the built environment to be exempt from funding cuts
- meeting with Lords to discuss how they can support our work
- publishing a story in Dezeen which outlines the impact on apprentices and architecture practices
- tabling parliamentary questions to press for further clarity on the government’s position
- co-signing a University Alliance letter to the Treasury, alongside over 600 other organisations, outlining the risks of removing funding
What’s next?
While we await the decision on the future of Level 7 apprenticeship funding we continue to work with the government and Parliament to achieve a carve out for architects. We will update members as soon as further information becomes available.
