National Apprenticeship Week 2026

Ryder is the lead sponsor for the award winning PlanBEE (Plan for Built Environment Education) higher apprenticeship programme in partnership with Gateshead College, a programme which has been awarded one of the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education, the highest national honour a Further Education College can receive. We continue to support the British Columbia Institute of Technology ACE (Entry Skills for Architectural, Construction, and Engineering Fields) programme, an adapted version of PlanBEE tailored to reflect the workforce of British Columbia in Canada. We also support and nurture colleagues studying their Level 7 architecture degree apprenticeship.

These conversations highlight the importance of our 2026 Reinvention campaign. Alongside Northumbria University and University of the Built Environment, the campaign is a call to arms for government, industry and academia to collaborate to realise a new Level 6 apprenticeship programme which builds on our Reinvention 2018 initiative.

Freyja Lehnen, Architectural Trainee
I’m currently in my third year of the apprenticeship degree at Northumbria University. The unique blend of practical experience with university work has helped me gain a much better holistic understanding of architecture. A key highlight this year was that I was able to apply the research in my master thesis to help inform a real project in the practice. I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to go down this route. 

Mark Clasper, Principal
I’ve had the pleasure of  managing and mentoring young professionals in my team on both the PlanBEE and degree apprenticeship routes. I’m always impressed with how focussed our PlanBEE apprentices are and their willingness to learn across various built environment disciplines. The real world grounding they receive means they quickly become very productive members of the team.

Beth Mottram, Architectural Trainee
I’m currently in my second year of the master of architecture degree apprenticeship and really enjoying the balance between studying and working in practice. Being in the office alongside my course has helped me feel part of the team and be involved in a range of projects. In my studies, I’m especially enjoying the freedom of my thesis project, which has allowed me to explore a topic I’m passionate about. I’m looking forward to my final year, taking on Part 3, and progressing towards becoming a chartered architect at Ryder. 

Mark Thompson, Principal, Managing Director
Apprentices have contributed to Ryder’s development and leadership for almost 40 years. Individuals who experience this early, hands on training tend to develop strong connections within and commitment to the practice.  

Emma McCutcheon, Architect
Studying through the architecture degree apprenticeship has provided me with experience that could not be gained in a university setting alone. I worked on real projects with my team while studying, so the theory linked directly to day-to-day work. I saw how drawings and ideas evolved into schedules, technical details, and coordinated information, and how all of this was utilised on site to construct the design. Being involved in live projects and deadlines helped build my confidence and gave me a full view of the process beyond the concept stage. I learned faster because I could ask questions in real time and draw on the wealth of knowledge within my team.

Mark Carter, Principal
As London PlanBEE sponsor representative, I have been closely involved in the mentoring and management of PlanBEE apprentices. I’m always amazed at their professionalism and level of ability. The end of rotation presentations are always conducted with confidence and they demonstrate good ability in responding to difficult questions. The knowledge, skills and behaviours that they bring to office life and project are varied and multidisciplinary.

Julia Soares Moreira, Design Assistant
My experience at Ryder has been really good. As a design assistant, I mostly help with drawings and supporting projects. This is my first professional experience in the field in Canada, so it’s been exciting to see how projects develop and how the office works day to day. I really enjoy learning from the team and being part of the process. In the future, I want to keep improving my skills and continue growing in architecture.

Lois Sykes, Architectural Trainee
I’m currently in my fourth and final year of the Oxford Brookes degree apprenticeship. Having completed the Part 2 element of the course last summer, I have gained valuable experience balancing part time study alongside project work in practice across a range of sectors – opportunities not typically available through the traditional academic route. This has enabled a two way exchange of learning between project work at Ryder and university research. The degree apprenticeship has allowed me to pursue a career in architecture without taking on additional student debt. As I move towards completing my Part 3 qualification, I feel that three years of practical experience have provided a great start to my career.

Paul Bell, Principal
Lois is now into her final year of her degree apprenticeship at Oxford Brookes. Lois consistently makes an excellent contribution to our team, developing her profile within the practice and externally. She is our team Ryder360 representative, effectively communicating between the team and the Ryder360 Board, and has proactively engaged in peer group networking beyond the practice. At project level, Lois has made an important contribution to the development of a major new hospital in Leighton, Crewe, engaging confidently with the client’s project team, user engagement stakeholder groups, and public consultation meetings as part of the town planning process. An excellent year!

Aidan Eggleston, Architectural Trainee
Studying the Level 7 degree apprenticeship at Northumbria University has strongly supported my personal and professional development. Working in practice while studying has meant I can actively apply academic learning to real projects, and the support and advice from my team has been invaluable to the development of my university work. The degree apprenticeship has also greatly strengthened my technical understanding and helped me better prepare for the realities of practice.

Grant Sellars, Principal
Aidan is a great example of the apprentices that we’ve had the pleasure of supporting in the team. It’s been great to watch Aidan grow in confidence and knowledge through both his work in practice and his academic studies – which is underpinned by a fantastic attitude to personal development. The architectural degree apprenticeship provides great value for us, allowing us to retain and nurture our talent from part 1 through to fully qualified architects who are fully versed on the way we work.

Izzy Williams, Senior Learning and Development Lead
Since joining Ryder, I’ve seen first hand how apprenticeships can provide valuable opportunities to young people wanting to establish a career within the built environment. Through on the job training, curriculum enhancements, practical experience and mentorship, apprentices become confident and knowledgeable professionals and provide meaningful impact and contributions to projects and the wider industry. Being able to support the next generation of apprentices and be a part of their success stories is a privilege and one of the reasons we will continue to advocate and transform built environment education.

Nathan Armstrong, Trainee Architectural Technologist
PlanBEE gave me real, hands on experience across architecture, engineering, interiors and quantity surveying, helping me understand how projects come together from every perspective. The variety gave me a well-rounded understanding of the construction process. It helped me develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours that I’ve carried forward into my role as a trainee architectural technologist. As I look forward to graduating this summer, I can clearly see the value of the apprenticeship route in building both capability and confidence. 

Liam McGuinness, Design Assistant
During my time on the PlanBEE programme I’ve had the opportunity to work within a range of disciplines in the industry. This has allowed me to work on some amazing projects and fully understand the complete process and how it all comes together. In my first few weeks at Ryder I’ve already worked on a wide range of projects which I’ve already learnt a lot from, like completing a survey of a building. Overall, the programme has been a invaluable experience and a great opportunity to make connections in the industry.

Robyn Taylor, Trainee Architectural Technologist
Before I joined the PlanBEE programme, I knew that I wanted to work in the built environment sector, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The flexibility of PlanBEE meant I got to try everything before deciding that being an architectural technologist was the career for me. I’ve been in the role for over two years now and putting all the skills and knowledge I learnt on the programme into action. The most valuable things I’ve brought into the role is the vast industry knowledge from my various placements and the confidence I gained along the way.