Peter Barker criticised the “antiquated” approach to education being taken by some architecture schools
Newly qualified architects are joining architecture practices without basic practical skills, attendees to an industry gathering in central London were told yesterday.
Ryder Architecture consultant Peter Barker said the firm had found it necessary to make significant investments in internal training programmes to get new recruits up to speed.
Barker was speaking on a panel of skills experts at the Good Employer Guide 2026, organised by Building Design, Building and Housing Today and held at the Savoy hotel, as part of a discussion on how to prepare the built environment workforce for 2030.
Other panellists included PfP Thrive director Tom Arey and RLB people and culture director Sarah Draper.
Barker said “frustrations” with the current approach to architectural education had led Ryder to taking initiatives on upskilling its workforce including technical and business training.
He said: ”Some of the schools of architecture are teaching in a very one-dimensional, slightly antiquated and theoretical way.
“We are finding that many young architects who were joining us literally don’t understand how the pathways are put together, what the basic functions of other professions in the industry actually are, and we have to do a lot of upskilling just to get them to a level where they can thrive in the business”.
Barker also said the government’s decision to scrap funding for level 7 apprenticeships for people over the age of 21 was “deeply frustrating”.
The decision, announced in May last year, means trainees are now required to self-fund or find employer support to continue their training.
Other speakers at yesterday’s event included Liberal Democrats deputy leader Daisy Cooper and Scott Brownrigg director of practice Helen Taylor.
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