PLACED Academy for budding regeneration professionals launched

PLACED Academy – a free, year-long programme designed to inspire the next generation of place makers from the North West has launched.

Throughout the year, teenagers enrolled in the PLACED Academy will take part in a tailored programme of workshops and activities covering architecture, planning and regeneration.

Social Enterprise PLACED is behind the programme and they say participants will learn skills in site analysis, brief development, design, model making and presentation – providing real life, practical and sector-specific experience which can be difficult to obtain for young people within the Academy’s age group.

The group will work alongside professionals including architects, planners and urban designers as well as students currently studying within the built environment sector, extending ‘true insight and insider knowledge,’ to enable participants to identify what future job role they may wish to pursue.

The programme is being funded by 24 established businesses working in the built environment sector, the course is completely free for successful applicants to attend. The University of Liverpool is also a partner.

Workshops and skills sessions will be delivered and supported by PLACED’s extensive network, in Liverpool and Manchester.

45 young people are enrolled in the course which will begin on July 29 with a four-day introductory design programme.

The group will work as a team on a creative, hands-on design project, developing their thinking about priorities for the Liverpool City Region. Their ideas will feed into the Spatial Development Strategy for Liverpool City Region, offering a unique opportunity for young people’s voices to be heard in the development of key policies.

Director of PLACED, Jo Harrop, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be building on our experience in delivering education programmes that inspire young people about the built environment, developing their skills, knowledge and confidence.

‘The PLACED Academy will provide a tailored programme of support, whilst connecting young people with those working and studying in the sector. By working with young people from a wide range of communities and supporting those under-represented in the sector, we can help to diversify the sector for the future.’

For more information visit here.