The NLA Learning Programme inspires young people about London’s built environment and engages them with a variety of careers, encouraging and supporting diverse talent into the industry. We offer a range of exciting opportunities for young people to learn more about the built environment industry. We prioritise hands on learning experiences, such as creative workshops, mentoring and careers advice, model talks and tours. 

 

Working with our extensive network of built environment professionals we can offer schools a comprehensive learning experience about a variety of careers. From architecture, urban design and planning, construction, surveyors, developers, project managers and engineers, we want young people to have access to resources and careers information so they can make informed decisions about their futures. We offer mentoring for students with our NextGen professionals who can help give practical guidance and advice. We work directly with schools to provide relevant lectures in line with the curriculum, to enhance students learning experience and give them access to real life case studies from inspiring speakers, with the chance to visit and study buildings, guided by industry professionals. 

 

Creative workshops and practical hands-on learning opportunities engage students in collaborative practice with the industry, working to a design brief and making their ideas come to life through drawing and model making. Utilising our scale models of London and exhibition space we can bring the story of London’s historical and physical development to life and reveals a fascinating glimpse into the future of London’s skyline.

 

NLA works with The Harris Federation to identify key learning opportunities that enhance the student experience and knowledge about the built environment. The Harris Federation is responsible for the education of one in 40 school children in London, with most of their academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage.

Support the Learning Programme

 

Supporting the Learning Programme enables NLA to offer a range of exciting opportunities to young people to learn more about the built environment industry. We prioritise hands on learning experiences, such as creative workshops, mentoring and careers advice, model talks and tours. 

 

Please get in touch with grace.simmonds@nla.london for more information.

 

We will update this page with more opportunities to get involved throughout the year!

Built environment careers describe anything from design, construction or management of manmade structures found in towns and cities. This includes architecture, construction, engineering, planning, surveying and many others. There are many routes to get into each career, such as university courses, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. Use this guide as a starting point for gathering information for relevant built environment disciplines.

What is it? Architecture is the practice of designing buildings or any other structures. It encompasses art and design, science and the environment, and humanities and culture.

What are some good subjects to study? Art, Design, Technology, Humanities, Maths, and Science.

What are the skills required? Creativity, communication, and Problem-Solving. 

What is it? Civil engineering is everything that you see been built around us, structural engineering is the science and maths behind the design of a structure.

What are some good subjects to study? Maths, Physics, Geography and Geology, Digital Technology, Art & Design, and Languages.

What are the skills required? Teamwork, technical skills and communication skills. It is a global industry so second language abilities are useful as there are many opportunities to work across the world.

What is it? The construction industry includes a range of disciplines that shapes the world and creates the infrastructure that supports our towns and cities. This can be on site, in an office, in a workshop, or even from home.

What are some good subjects to study? English, Maths and Science are compulsory for most apprenticeships and traineeships. If you like to work practically then design and technology will be beneficial but it’s not obligatory.

What are the skills required? Team work, problem solving, time management, continuous learning, and ability to use digital technology are some required skills.

What is it? Surveyors work in three main sectors: construction and infrastructure, property, and land. There are more than 100 varied career roles across the surveying profession.

What are some good subjects to study? Design Technology, Maths, Physics, Environmental Studies and Geography are all good subjects to study.

What are the skills required? Digital, Communication and Problem Solving skills.

What is it? It is the planning and control of the construction, growth, and development of a town or other urban area.

What are some good subjects to study? Art and Design, Business Studies, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, and Politics.

What are the skills required? Team work, problem solving, time management, continuous learning, and ability to use digital technology are great skills to have in this varied sector.