Apprenticeship Refelections: My Journey at Apt, by Holly McLean
I joined Apt in 2021 as part of its apprenticeship scheme, proud to have secured a place at such a highly regarded architectural practice, but also nervous about whether I would live up to expectations. Walking into such a creative, fast-paced studio environment for the first time was exciting, but undeniably overwhelming. I was suddenly surrounded by busy, knowledgeable professionals whose experience and confidence I admired. From the outset, however, the team at Apt were incredibly welcoming and supportive, which quickly helped put me at ease and made me feel part of the practice.
Early Exposure and Learning the Reality of Practice
Like many new starters, my first few months were a steep learning curve. While initially daunting, I gradually began to understand how a busy architectural studio operates and how I could contribute meaningfully. Over time, I became increasingly useful to the practice and gained valuable experience assisting on a wide range of projects.
These included fast-paced design competitions and bids for members’ clubs, challenging sites within conservation areas, the Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as large-scale residential schemes, student accommodation, masterplanning and feasibility studies, and interior design projects. This breadth of work gave me a strong appreciation of contextual design and placemaking, understanding when a building should aspire to landmark quality and when a more sensitive, considered approach is required.
Beyond design, I also developed an understanding of how architectural practices function commercially. This included exposure to fee proposals, project resourcing, timesheets and monitoring hours, as well as practice and team structures. Apt’s status as an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), where employees have a genuine say in the running of the practice, further highlighted the benefits of collaborative ownership and shared responsibility.
Balancing Practice and Study
Balancing full-time work alongside university study was one of the most challenging aspects of the Level 6 apprenticeship. Managing professional responsibilities while meeting academic deadlines required a high level of discipline, efficiency and organisation. While demanding, this experience taught me invaluable lessons in time management and prioritisation, skills that will remain essential throughout my career.
Mentorship, Support and Studio Culture
One of the most important factors in my development has been the culture of mentorship and support at Apt. I have benefited enormously from having two internal mentors, with whom I present and review my university projects during weekly workshops alongside other apprentices. These sessions act as a ‘critical friends’ forum, where ideas are discussed, challenged and refined, helping to stretch my creativity and keep my work on track. I have also been supported by an independent external architect mentor, providing an additional layer of guidance.
Being immersed in a professional, creative studio environment has accelerated my learning in ways that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. Learning by osmosis, assisting on real projects, problem-solving within and beyond my immediate teams, overhearing discussions, and observing how architects communicate with clients and consultants, has significantly deepened my understanding of architectural practice.
Highlights from the Level 6 Apprenticeship
Professionally, working at an award-winning practice like Apt and becoming a trusted member of the team has been a major highlight. I now have a strong understanding of the architect’s role and what it takes to run a successful practice.
Academically, achieving a first-class honours degree and winning several awards, including one for The Architecture Drawing Prize 2025, made the four years of hard work incredibly rewarding. Over time, I have also grown much more confident in presenting and discussing my student projects, a skill that has developed steadily throughout the degree.
Growing as a Designer and Professional
Throughout the Level 6 apprenticeship, my design thinking, technical understanding and communication skills have evolved significantly. My knowledge of building construction, structures, services, environmental design and other technical aspects has grown alongside my academic studies. Direct engagement with consultants, issuing drawings and attending meetings has been particularly valuable in reinforcing this learning.
I have also become more comfortable sharing design ideas at university and contributing to discussions within the office. Participation in internal design reviews, coordination workshops, client presentations, site visits and CPD sessions has further strengthened my professional skill set, including client engagement, technical coordination and sustainability awareness.
Working Across Projects and Teams
I have been fortunate to work on a wide variety of project types, sites and scales, from urban to rural and heritage contexts, with varying degrees of complexity and constraint. Exposure to sites within the Green Belt, National Landscapes and conservation areas has been particularly instructive, highlighting not only the challenges architects face, but also how constraints can be harnessed creatively to generate strong design solutions.
From Student to Trusted Team Member
While learning never stops and I still ask plenty of questions, my confidence and independence within the practice have grown steadily. I am now able to manage tasks more autonomously, and it is particularly rewarding when colleagues ask me for input on projects or software. This shift from student to reliable team member has been one of the most satisfying aspects of the apprenticeship.
Reflecting on Passing Level 6
Passing the Level 6 apprenticeship has been a significant milestone. Looking back over four years, it is extremely satisfying to see how much my knowledge, experience and confidence have developed. Each year has brought noticeable growth, and becoming trusted within project teams has been especially meaningful.
Looking Ahead to Level 7
I am now immersed in the Level 7 apprenticeship and have just completed my first term in my Masters in Architecture. I now have a solid understanding of what is required for university projects and feel well prepared to take on new challenges and push myself further in the next stage of my education.
Future Focus and Ambitions
In the coming years, I am keen to develop my experience working more closely with clients and consultants and would also like to support and mentor new apprentices. Building on my technical knowledge remains a priority, alongside continuing to grow as a designer and professional.
Becoming an increasingly valuable member of the Apt team is extremely important to me. I will continue to strive for the highest quality university work possible and hope to be considered for further awards during the Level 7 Masters. More broadly, I aim to contribute positively to both the studio and the wider profession.
A Note to Future Apprentices
For anyone considering an architectural apprenticeship, while the journey is undoubtedly challenging and demands a great deal of hard work, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Compared to the traditional undergraduate route, the experience is incomparable. By the time I complete Level 7, I will have gained eight years of practical experience, compared to the two years typically achieved through the standard pathway, an advantage that has already proved invaluable.
Holly McLean is Apt’s first Level 6 apprentice to graduate since the programme was introduced in 2021 and is now undertaking her Level 7 apprenticeship at London South Bank University. She was recently a recipient of The Architecture Drawing Prize, and her work will be displayed at Sir John Soane’s Museum until 15th February.
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