The °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Compact
The °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Compact is an ethical framework with a series of obligations for students, practices, schools of architecture and the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ to meet. The aim is to make a mutual commitment to improve the experience of students moving into the workplace after graduating from Part 1 or Part 2. The trialling phase has now ended and feedback from participants is now being analysed and next steps considered – we’ll update you on these soon.
Why now?
In 2015 the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Education Review identified various challenges for students around moving from academia to the workplace. In 2020, the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ launched The Way Ahead, our new Education and Professional Development Framework, signifying a new direction for architectural education and continuing professional development, with a greater emphasis on health and life safety, the climate emergency and professional ethics.
Further research and evidence identify some prominent issues for the next generation of architects, including: standards for pay; agreement of hours worked and arrangements for overtime; wellbeing in the workplace and fair access to opportunities.
We recognise that change is needed to address these issues. Those who trialled the °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ Compact will help us to take further steps to develop the highest workplace standards. Schools of architecture play a vital role in educating the future profession and the new °ÄÃÅÍõÖÐÍõ validation procedures and criteria place emphasis on professional skills and signposting students to support on offer throughout their studies, including time spent in practice.