Proving why parents don’t need to choose between working, studying and having children

“The fact that I've been able to have a baby in the middle of doing all of this is remarkable!" Name: Jennifer Willis Company: VOA For Jennifer Willis, apprenticeships run in…

Growing hundreds of new Government employees at the VOA

Angie Leggett sat down with UCEM to discuss her role supporting 450 apprentices at the Valuation Office Agency - 250 of which are enrolled with UCEM. Name: Angie Leggett Job…

100 million-dollar fighter jets and American food: an MOD apprenticeship

Christopher's journey to becoming a Project Manager Apprentice with the Ministry of Defence showcases the breadth of opportunities available in the built environment. Name: Christopher Allen Job role: Project Manager…

Diagnosing the cladding crisis: the UK residents trapped in unsellable homes

The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire continues to impact lives almost eight years on. But why has action been so slow? The last decade has been a time of…

“An opportunity on a plate”: studying for a Master’s degree apprenticeship

Rachel Harwood, Project Manager for South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, is continuing her love of learning and education with UCEM for her second degree. Name: Rachel Harwood Job role:…

What is BIM (and how does it work)?

Here’s why building information modelling (BIM) is at the centre of digital transformation across architecture, construction and the wider built environment. Construction projects are far from simple. From the design and planning of buildings to their…

Two award nominations – with a neurodiversity diagnosis in-between

Toby Vowels, Assistant Building Surveyor at Rider Levett Bucknall, hasn't looked back since shifting to a career in building surveying and overcoming a serious back injury. Name: Toby Vowels Job…

Urban regeneration, defined: here’s why it matters

Urban regeneration is the process of bringing derelict and deprived cities back to life. Here's how it works, with several examples from across the world. From industrialisation and war to…

Green belt planning: is the grass always greener?

While the concept of the green belt has been a major political talking point in recent months, it's actually been the subject of debate since it was introduced into the…

This Amsterdam office is one of the world’s most sustainable buildings

If you think of sustainable buildings, you might picture places like London, Shanghai and New York. But did you know that the most sustainable and smartest building in the world…

What is biophilic architecture? 15 real-world examples in the built environment

When coupled with sustainable development, biophilic design can offer significant benefits for the built environment. As an industry currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, the built environment…

Saudi Arabia is building a $50 billion cube skyscraper

While across the world new developments are under increasing environmental scrutiny, in Saudi Arabia the built environment appears to be thriving. From The Line, the 170km long, 500m high 15-minute…