Les Beaucamps students learn about architecture as a career

Students attended a talk and presentation delivered by Miles Pengelley, a chartered architectural technologist and associate director at JG Architecture.

Mr Pengelley spoke about how he began his career as an apprentice, how he was able to progress in terms of qualifications, and what day-to-day life at an architectural firm consisted of.

He then answered questions from those attending the session.

‘It’s been great to wave the flag for architecture, when people hear the word “apprentice” I think they tend to imagine a career in one of the trades, but it’s absolutely a route you can take in architecture,’ he said.

After finishing his A-levels in 2008, Mr Pengelley began his apprenticeship with the College of Further Education, while simultaneously gaining work experience with local firm MD Nicolle & Partners. He completed his apprenticeship in 2013, which enabled him to enrol on a bachelor of science degree in architectural technology run by London South Bank University.

‘I actually studied for that locally, and was able to stay on at the place I was working while I studied, so again that dual working and studying arrangement was great,’ he said.

‘Being able to work and study was great, it gave me an opportunity to see what day-to-day work was like, I wasn’t just blindly studying without knowing what I was going into.’

After successfully obtaining his degree, Mr Pengelley then continued his journey to becoming recognised as a chartered architectural technologist, working his way through the ranks at JG Architecture where he is now an associate director.

He said the most rewarding aspect of his job was seeing a project progress, from the initial sketches and drawings to site visits and finally the finished build.

‘It’s incredibly satisfying, and very creative, I think some of the students have been able to relate a little bit to the process too as they told me they’ve had building work done on their houses.’

Students Evelyn Prigent, 13, and Mathilde Brown, 14, were among those who attended the talk, and both girls said they had an interest in design.

‘I really like design and technology, coming along today has helped me figure out what I might want to do in future,’ Evelyn said.

Mathilde added she was ‘intrigued’ by interior design, but admitted it was a bit too soon to commit to a career at the moment.

‘I liked the presentation though, Miles laid out what he did quite simply and made it easy to understand.’

Lily Kelsh, 14, said she had wanted to be an architect since she was at primary school.

‘Hearing Miles talk about doing an apprenticeship was quite interesting as I know if you go to university it takes seven years to qualify, which is a long time.

‘It’s another option for me to consider, for sure.’