Early engagement with manufacturers takes students out of the classroom and reveals the construction roles - and the possibilities - that lie where innovation and sustainability converge
As I reflect on my career, I often think back to when I was a student, uncertain of where my path would lead. I studied MSc Chemistry and MSc Food Science and Technology, followed by an Executive Master in Marketing and Sales, but not once did I ever foresee myself in the role I’m in today.
It is this memory that drives my passion for the Architects Academy Programme, a recent initiative we’ve launched at Ravago Building Solutions UK. The goal is simple: to inspire the next generation of architects by offering real-world experiences that go beyond classroom theory, and showcasing the wide array of roles open to them within the construction sector.
Our inaugural event saw us welcome a group of eager Architecture and Architectural Technology students from Anglia Ruskin University to our UK manufacturing plant in King’s Lynn. For these students, the day was more than just a factory tour. It was a hands-on introduction to the possibilities that lie within the construction industry, where innovation and sustainability converge.
At the heart of the experience was a detailed tour of our manufacturing plant, where students had the chance to see how our Ravatherm XPS X thermal insulation boards are produced. This wasn’t just about observing our machinery at work, but gaining an appreciation of the challenges that need to be overcome to consistently produce high-performance insulation.
Away from the factory floor, we also helped broaden their understanding of the role that insulation products play in creating energy-efficient, durable structures. Through real-life case studies, we demonstrated how these materials are applied in practice - showing students how their future designs could incorporate cutting-edge solutions and how insulation can impact other design elements of a structure.
To enrich the experience, our commercial team, who collectively share over 100 years of expertise working with insulation, led a Q&A session, giving insight into the vast career opportunities the construction sector holds. From architectural design to project management; product development to sales and marketing, the industry offers a diversity of roles that often goes unnoticed by those just starting out.
We had some incredible feedback from the programme, including from course director of Architectural Technology at Anglia Ruskin University, Graham Terry, who has over 35 years of experience in architectural practice.
He explained how the programme was some of the best CPD training he’d ever completed and how it allowed the students to apply class theory into practice. It was also extremely rewarding to hear such positive feedback from the architectural students, all of whom said they would recommend the experience day to their peers.
What truly excites me about this programme is its potential to open students' minds to the broader impacts they can have on the built environment. Architects today must be forward thinkers, pushing the boundaries of traditional practice. The more exposure young people get to the industry’s broader ecosystem, the better equipped they’ll be to lead transformative changes in the future.
One of the driving forces behind this programme is not only to inspire creativity, but also to instil confidence in these young minds. By meeting professionals who have successfully carved out their own unique paths, students see that there’s no single 'right way' to become an architect or construction professional. It is about finding what inspires you and pursuing that with purpose.
My hope is that the Architects Academy Programme continues to fuel students' ambitions, helping them to see the endless possibilities within architecture and construction - this was just the first event of many. After all, the future of our built environment will be shaped by today’s students and it’s our responsibility to guide and support them in that journey.
For more information and technical support, visit ravagobuildingsolutions.co.uk
Contact:
technical.uk.rbs@ravago.com
Joan Ferrer is commercial director UK & Ireland at Ravago Building Solutions.