Buttress sponsors PLACED Academy

We are proud to be a sponsor of PLACED Academy 2024-2025, enabling more young people to shape the built environment.

The PLACED Academy is a free to access, creative programme about the built environment for 14–18 year olds.

It empowers young people to shape the places they live, work and spend time whilst increasing their self-esteem, breaking down barriers to professional careers and developing a broad range of skills.

Up to 50 young people aged 14-18 from across the North West will enrol on the 2024-25 Academy. Academy participants will take part in creative design workshops which respond to live projects, supporting youth voice and citizenship, whilst enabling designers and decision makers to engage with a group typically under-represented in discussion about places.

Students will be mentored by industry professionals and participate in a tailored package of workshops, events and learning opportunities, culminating in a celebratory graduation. The academy will support young people from diverse backgrounds to make informed decisions about their future career and study paths, helping them to feel confident as they take their next steps.