Hear from Level 7 apprentices Dorréll Gayle-Menzie and Elizabeth Akamo as they speak to the RIBA about their experiences of the architecture apprenticeship and the power of mentoring as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

“The apprenticeship process reminds me of learning to drive: it’s important to learn the theory with desk-based study and testing, as this has helped me to form an understanding of the fundamentals but, I find its most useful to see the mechanics in action and apply concepts in real time.” - Dorréll Gayle-Menzie

“Formal mentorship is fantastic but what is critical to developing a holistic and balanced professional approach to design is informal mentorship. It is unrealistic and unreasonable to expect your mentor to know all things, so having a workplace culture where there are constant exchanges of knowledge and experience from anyone, and people care about your progress makes a real difference.” - Elizabeth Akamo

Read the piece in full and learn more about a pivotal year for apprentices in architecture and the RIBA’s recent lobbying on the government’s funding reforms here.