National Careers’ Week

During National Careers’ Week, we will be focusing on the opportunities for new staff at Harris Irwin to develop and gain knowledge and experience in the field of architecture. However, the insights don’t start at the point of recruitment, we regularly welcome students from local schools and sixth form colleges for work experience placements, to allow them to get a taste of what it’s like to work in an architectural practice.

Harry Sellers, a Year 13 student at Darlington’s Queen Elizbeth Sixth Form College is hoping to study architecture after his A-levels. He is spending a week with us to find out more about working in the industry and learning about the different software packages and procedures that are used in the practice. Harry has been working alongside our recent architectural assistant appointees Alex Harris and Simon Greenan and together with Robert McCartney , associate at Harris Irwin, they visited the Dales Bike Centre, located in nearby Swaledale.

Rob said: “Whilst it’s interesting for students to experience what goes on behind the scenes at an architectural practice, there is no better way to understand the process, challenges and ultimately the satisfaction of a finished build than visiting a completed project. A site visit instantly helps with visualisation and a better understanding of how a design progresses from design, planning and construction to daily use. The Dales Bike Centre is a great example of how a considered design has led to a highly successful business model and it was great to see the extended café bustling with people of all ages and the workshop and bike hire centre busy with those wishing to head up the fells and take in the stunning views on such a sunny day.”

Harry added: “It was really interesting to visit a site and see how an initial concept has developed and translated to a thriving business. My experience at Harris Irwin has been valuable and has helped me to understand how a practice operates whilst also giving me the opportunity to try out some of the packages that are used in design. Thank you to the team for making me feel so welcome.”

You can find out more about National Careers’ Week at Welcome –

https://lnkd.in/ecHxxTk

Read about the Dales Bike Centre at Dales Bike Centre –

https://lnkd.in/gASMrRtG