The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has announced that they will be making changes to how it approaches practical experience
The ARB professional practical experience changes come as part of wider reforms to both architectural education and registration.
The changes are intended to provide architectural trainees with better flexibility and support.
The changes come after a review last year
The review, produced by the Professional Practical Experience (PPE Commission), proposes changes to the ARB’s standards for learning providers, guidance for employers and trainees, requirements for a new Trainee Record of Experience, and the Registration Rules governing practical experience.
Taking these proposals on board, the ARB is publishing:
- Minimum requirements for the Trainee Record of Experience
- New guidance for employers and trainees
- Revised Standards for learning providers and an updated accreditation handbook
- An outline of the changes that will be made to ARB’s Registration Rules governing practical experience
Further changes made under advisement
The key changes for trainees are:
The new requirements for a Trainee Record of Experience
Trainees, learning providers, and employers must use the record to support structured reflection on practical experience. This will allow learning providers to give better advice on progress.
The record will not be assessed by the ARB as part of the registration process, and is purely intended to help trainees identify gaps in their experience.
New guidance for trainees and employers
The new guidance for trainees and employers explains their roles and responsibilities in professional practical experience, and ensure that the experience is productive, fair, and meaningful.
Revised standards for learning providers
These new standards focus on providers giving support through a trainees qualification route, including oversight of individual progress, and ensuring access to appropriate guidance and support, as well as giving examples for how providers can develop relationships with employers to support their trainees.
Removal of the two-year minimum requirement
The minimum two-years of practical experience for applicants to have is being removed, with favour being given to qualifications demonstrating they have met all of ARB’s Competency Outcomes.
This will improve flexibility for learning providers to develop qualifications that combine academic learning and practical experience, without trainees needing to categorise their experience according to a time requirement.
Alan Kershaw, ARB chair, said: “Our aim is to make sure that all trainees have access to high-quality practical experience and the support they need to develop the competence required for registration.
“The feedback we received through our consultation has helped us further strengthen and refine our proposals. We have used this to shape changes that will give trainees a more supportive and flexible experience, while maintaining the high standards required for registration.
“The new framework for practical experience published today will give learning providers greater flexibility to integrate academic learning and practical experience. It will also provide much greater transparency for trainees about what they should expect from their PPE and how they can access guidance and support.”
The ARB is also currently consulting on changes to their prescribed examination.
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