Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College

We were delighted to welcome 13 students from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College to our head office for an insight into the world of architecture and the work we do at Harris Irwin.

The visit began with an introduction from Associate Rob McCartney, who shared the background of the practice and provided an overview of the sectors in which we specialise.

Students were given a tour of our design office, where they met members of the team and had the opportunity to ask questions about our projects and day-to-day work.

Rachel, one of our apprentices, delivered an engaging presentation about her route into the profession. Following the completion of her Part 1 degree, Rachel is continuing her studies towards Parts 2 and 3 through an apprenticeship with Northumbria University while developing her practical experience working at Harris Irwin.

Lydia Elliott, Job Coach at QE College said: “Our students had an inspiring visit to Harris Irwin, where they gained a valuable insight into the world of architecture. Through engaging presentations, a tour of the office and discussions about the different routes into the profession, the students were able to see first-hand what a career in architecture can look like. The team shared their own career journeys and experiences which provided students with a clear understanding of the skills and qualifications needed to succeed. The level of engagement was fantastic, with students asking thoughtful questions throughout the visit and making the most of this excellent opportunity. We are incredibly grateful to the Harris Irwin team for hosting us and inspiring the next generation of architects!

Student Josh added: “The Harris Irwin trip was really interesting; it gave me a very useful insight into the world of architecture and how a functional office works. It was good to look around the office and see how much they work as a team to complete projects with different people having varied roles. As well as this I learnt about the apprentice roles as well as the different routes people take into the job.”

As part of our commitment to supporting future talent, we regularly attend careers fairs at local schools and sixth-form colleges and offer work experience opportunities for students interested in pursuing a career in architecture.