Chapman Taylor helps define new 'Degree equivalent' Interior Design Apprenticeship

A group of leading industry professionals including Chapman Taylor has gained approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to develop a new Level 6 apprenticeship for Interior Design, which it said would open new pathways into the industry for those unable to attend university.

The new standard will be the first of its kind in the UK to offer students an equivalent qualification to a Bachelor’s Degree with the ambition to meet the future needs of the industry head on whilst creating a more inclusive, diverse and attractive industry for young people.

The British Institute for Interior Design estimate the UK sector alone employs some 20,000 practitioners.

Meanwhile, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds make up just 12% of the workforce in creative industries, despite representing almost half of the UK population.

Gavin King, Interior Design Director at Chapman Taylor, said: “At Chapman Taylor we are committed to supporting less advantaged architecture students across the UK. Through this new Apprentice Scheme we hope to give students a work-based route to a professional qualification as opposed to traditional full-time and costly university training.”

It is expected that students will be able to begin applying in late 2023.

The group of professionals who have been developing the new standard over the past year includes:

Angela Bardino, Senior Associate Director – Interiors Europe, Jacobs
Lester Bennett, Design Consultant and Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design
Craig Bennett, Management & Leadership Excellence Manager, Homebase
Dagmar Binsted, Associate, Scott Brownrigg
Molly Coath, Interior Designer
Emma Dickinson, Business & Trade Manager, BoConcept
Courteney Kiely, Founder and CEO, Scene Studios
Gavin King, Director, Chapman Taylor
Katherine Neathercoat, Director and Head of UK Interior Design, Scott Brownrigg
Samuel Platt, Creative Design Manager, Homebase
Susie Rumbold, Founder & Creative Director of Tessuto Interiors and Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design
Leanne Wookey, Interiors Director, TP Bennett