Impact
The built environment shapes how we live, move, and connect yet the pathways into designing it remain inaccessible to many.
Build The Way was created to challenge this.
We believe that architecture and city-making should be shaped by a diversity of lived experiences, perspectives, and talents.
However, traditional routes into the profession are often costly, linear, and exclusionary. Build The Way exists to open up new pathways.
Through paid traineeships, mentoring, and industry partnerships, the programme supports young people to access meaningful careers in the built environment, many for whom this pathway would not otherwise be possible.
Current issues
The traditional route into architecture is defined by high financial and structural barriers. The cost of education alone can reach approximately £120,000; a figure that places the profession out of reach for many talented individuals.
Beyond cost, entry pathways often rely heavily on academic attainment and informal industry connections.
Opportunities to gain meaningful, paid experience at an early stage are limited. These barriers shape not only who enters the profession, but who gets to design our cities.
There is also the wider issue around representation with the latest data collected from the ARB’s 2026 Equality and
Diversity survey suggests there is still a massive lack of representaion with the industry.
“Build The Way has been an incredibly impactful experience. The daily learning, practical skills and exploration of diverse career paths within the built environment have been life-changing.”
Holly
Alumni 2024/25
Development
Each traineeship combines practical experience, structured learning, and industry exposure to create a comprehensive entry point into the profession.
• 1,200 hours of paid industry experience
• 60 hours of structured education
• 60 hours of cross-sector exposure
Together, this forms a holistic model of learning grounded in real-world practice.
Diversity
Build The Way supports a cohort that reflects a wide range of lived experiences and backgrounds. All trainees to date have come from Black, Asian, and minority
ethnic backgrounds; groups that remain underrepresented within the built environment sector.
Many are state-educated, with several identifying as first-generation university applicants. Others have entered the programme through non-traditional routes, including roles in retail, hospitality, and care.
The programme also supports neurodiverse individuals and those with additional learning needs, working closely with partner practices to ensure inclusive environments.
Collaborate with us
We’re always open to collaborating with organisations and initiatives in the built environment who share our values and are keen to support Build The Way.
If you would like to be a partner practice, sponsor or are from a local authority, developer or private funder, get in touch with our team.