Westminster University offers free courses to recession-hit architects

Westminster University is offering 1,500 free places on career development courses for unemployed, or under-employed, architects and other built environment professionals.

The Build Up programme consists of three strands: networking and career development workshops; formal courses on skills such as project management, finance and inclusive design; and collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.

Typical third strand mentored projects last for eight to 10 weeks, involving a team of 15, and involve local authorities and not-for-profit organisations. They aim to promote and develop inter-professional working and identify new ways of looking at urban issues.

Current projects include a diagnostic of the northern section of Borough High Street, and public realm improvements in Haringey.

Jeremy Till, dean of Westminster’s School of Architecture & the Built Environment, commented: “The recession has hit built environment professionals particularly badly and this new programme offers a cost-free opportunity to many to reposition themselves for when the upturn comes.”

The scheme is aimed at built environment professionals, with a minimum of around two years’ professional experience. Part II graduates with relevant experience are eligible to apply.

To be eligible for a free place, applicants must be full-time resident in the UK and either unemployed, under threat or notice of redundancy or on reduced time working arrangements.

Build Up is funded by a variety of organisations including the Higher Education Funding Council and the Westminster Works program. It is supported by relevant industry bodies, including RIBA.

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