Perspectives: National Apprenticeship Week

Post by Xander Bailey, Mollie Lord and Sara Waterfield

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In January 2026, the Government withdrew public funding for Level 7 apprenticeships in England for students aged 22 and over. For architecture, this decision carries real consequences.

Level 7 apprenticeships have been transformative for access to the profession. They have enabled talented individuals to qualify as architects while earning, reducing financial barriers and widening participation across socio-economic backgrounds. At a time when our industry is working hard to become more inclusive, this route has been avital pathway.

We have seen this impact first-hand. We are proudly supporting Mollie Lord in completing her apprenticeship at the University of Portsmouth. We were also preparing to support Xander Bailey through his Part 2 and Part 3 via the apprenticeship route, aiming for London South Bank University, starting this September.

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Mollie reflects:

“Removing funding risks narrows access to the profession. The apprenticeship route has been a brilliant pathway to qualification, and it’s devastating to see students like Xander inspired by it, only for funding to be cut and the opportunity no longer be possible.

For me, the apprenticeship route created opportunities I simply wouldn’t have had otherwise, running jobs onsite and studying to become a Passivhaus Designer alongside my work and academic commitments. I don’t believe those experiences would have been accessible if I had returned to university as a full-time master’s student.”

Xander reflects:

“I was disappointed to learn that government funding for the Level 7 Architecture Degree Apprenticeship has been withdrawn for apprentices over the age of 21. This sudden change impacts many aspiring architects, me included. Before this announcement, the degree apprenticeship route was the pathway I had hoped to pursue to continue my professional development while remaining actively engaged in practice.

I hope that future discussions around architectural education continue to prioritise accessible, diverse routes into the profession - something this apprenticeship has played an important role in supporting.”

Reinstating Level 7 apprenticeship funding is fundamental to the future of architecture. If we are serious about broadening access, developing talent, and building a resilient profession, we must protect and strengthen the pathways that make it possible.

Sara adds:

"Seeing Mollie progress through the apprenticeship route has been eye opening. The balance of academic and real-life learning has been tremendous, with benefits to our whole team as well as Mollie herself. Apprenticeships feel like the future of architectural education. In the context of rising concern about the affordability of student loans, and the cycle of debt it imposes on students, we feel withdrawing funding for the level 7 apprenticeship route is a real backward step."