Applications are now OPEN for the PLACED Academy Studio 2025/26, our flagship award-winning FREE programme of creative activities and professional development opportunities for young people who are currently in Years 9-12 who live in Northwest England.
The PLACED Academy is designed to tackle barriers young people face in accessing professional careers in the built environment, including architecture, planning, urban design and landscape architecture. They seek to support greater diversity in the sector, enabling young people to develop a wide range of skills, grow in confidence and feel empowered to shape the places of the future. The programme runs from July 2025 – March 2026 with monthly sessions and is funded by some fantastic practices and organisations and they can support travel costs (subject to circumstances).
Applications close Sunday 15th June, there are just 60 places available. The link to the application form is HERE.
As part of the programme, young people will;
Participate in monthly creative projects and professional development activities through collaborative sessions and independent work (face-to-face in Liverpool and Manchester)
Develop knowledge and skills in design, communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and public speaking
Grow in confidence, input on real life projects, and feel empowered to shape future decisions about where they live
Learn more about careers in the built environment and opportunities available to them and be mentored by professionals from the sector, gaining unique insight
Gain experience that will enhance their CV and applications for higher education and employment, helping them stand out from the crowd.
YEARS 9-12 – FREE PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE NORTHWEST
PLACED Academy Studio requires nothing from schools other than the young people to apply! See poster for teachers and youth organisations, and a separate poster to be given to young people, with a QR code to scan for the application form. Please share, forward, pass on, print, upload the poster anyway you like, we’re looking for people of all abilities and backgrounds. If you’d like us to pop in and chat to students, let us know.
The PLACED Academy is designed to tackle barriers young people face in accessing professional careers in the built environment, including architecture, planning, urban design and landscape architecture. We seek to support greater diversity in the sector, enabling young people to develop a wide range of skills, grow in confidence and feel empowered to shape the places of the future. The programme runs from July 2025 – March 2026 with monthly sessions and is funded by some fantastic practices and organisations and we can support travel costs (subject to circumstances). You can find out more about the programme and who sponsors us on the website (placed-academy.com)
Applications close Sunday 15th June, there are just 60 places available. The link to the application form – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LMB2ZBT
As part of the programme, young people will;
– Participate in monthly creative projects and professional development activities through collaborative sessions and independent work (face-to-face in Liverpool and Manchester)
– Develop knowledge and skills in design, communication, problem-solving, leadership, teamwork and public speaking
– Grow in confidence, input on real life projects, and feel empowered to shape future decisions about where they live
– Learn more about careers in the built environment and opportunities available to them and be mentored by professionals from the sector, gaining unique insight
– Gain experience that will enhance their CV and applications for higher education and employment, helping them stand out from the crowd.

No prior understanding needed, just an interest in the built environment.