This academic year, the LI Education Team has delivered 10 Employer-led Projects for 16–19-year-olds in partnership with 10 registered practices and 10 purposefully selected education providers across the UK. The programme brings employers and education providers together to co-create impactful projects that enhance curriculum delivery, provide meaningful careers education, and strengthen pathways into the profession.

Among the first projects to launch was the partnership between Newcastle College and ONE Environments, which commenced in October 2025. A cohort of 35 first-year Level 3 Interior and Architecture Design students took part in the six-week Employer-led Project, embedded within their curriculum and designed to develop their creative and technical skills through engagement with professional practice. Following a competitive judging process in February 2026, two outstanding students, Ella and Jack, were announced as the project winners in March 2026.

As part of their prize, Ella and Jack will undertake work experience at the ONE Environments studio in June 2026. The opportunity comes at a pivotal stage in their educational journey, following the completion of their first year of study and ahead of their return for a second year, when many students begin exploring progression routes including Higher Education, apprenticeships, and employment.

Beyond the project itself, the partnership has continued to flourish. The LI Education Team has worked closely with colleagues at Newcastle College and ONE Environments to strengthen relationships, explore new opportunities for collaboration and begin planning next year’s Employer-led Project. Discussions are also underway around complementary initiatives designed to further enrich careers education, support curriculum development and teacher CPD, and enhance students’ understanding of industry practice.

The Employer-led Project programme is designed to create lasting impact by engaging students studying key feeder subjects, providing sustained and meaningful interaction with industry professionals, and supporting teachers and lecturers to bring current industry knowledge into the classroom. By building long-term local partnerships between education providers and employers, the programme helps strengthen regional skills development and supports the future talent pipeline across the sector.

Building on the success of this year’s programme, the LI Education Team is set to significantly expand its reach, with plans to deliver 30 Employer-led Projects during the next academic year. This will create even more opportunities for young people to engage with the landscape profession and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed for future careers, while strengthening relationships with teachers and lecturers to support sustained and impactful careers education.

The LI Education Team is keen to hear from registered practices interested in supporting best practice, sustainable careers education in their local region. To find out more, please contact education@landscapeinstitute.org.

Adrian Clarke CMLI, Director of Operations and Technical, ONE Environments said:

“We were highly impressed by the creativity, professionalism, and dedication demonstrated by all participating students from Newcastle College. Choosing the winners was no easy decision given the exceptional standard of submissions. We’re really pleased to be welcoming the prize winners to ONE Environments and giving them the opportunity to experience how we approach landscape architecture in practice. The placement will offer a great insight into live project work, collaboration within the team, and the range of activities involved in delivering thoughtful, well-integrated landscape solutions. We’re looking forward to hosting Jack and Ella and supporting them in gaining a positive and engaging introduction to the profession.”

Helen Driver, Assistant Head of Curriculum Art and Design, Newcastle College said:

“The Landscape Institute and One Environments have given our students a vital opportunity for employer engagement. Such engagement provides valuable experience of real-world working and enables students to make fully informed choices on future career paths. Generated through collaboration with our Programme Lead, the Landscape Institute and One Environments, this challenging project was the first brief delivered on the Level 3 Diploma and proved our students’ capacity to work professionally. Students produced creative and experimental ideas, showcasing ambitious work and clearly growing in confidence through the experience. This project has proven the importance of employer partnerships in Further Education.”

 Leo Underwood, Lecturer in Interior and Architectural Design, Newcastle College, said:

“The Landscape Institute provided us with a brief that challenged and supported our learners to reimagine their local urban environment as a space of beauty, functionality, and inclusivity. Teaching this, I was immediately struck by the pride our learners had for their city, and their enthusiasm for making its outdoor areas imaginative and fun spaces which work for our wider community. Many thanks to the Landscape Institute and ONE Environments for opening our learners’ eyes to a career path in this exciting industry.”

 Jack, Level 3 student, and prize winner said:

 “The project gave me great opportunities to enhance and develop my practical skills, introducing me to processes such as the creation of plans and sections which I think are very valuable skills to have. I felt like I had a great volume of creative freedom in this project and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am honoured and thrilled to have been chosen for this work experience opportunity, and I hope to learn some valuable life lessons and to see what my future could potentially hold.”

 Ella, Level 3 student, and prize winner said:

 “I really enjoyed working on this project because it allowed me to be creative and introduced me to something I never knew much about before. I am looking forward to the work experience as it will give me an opportunity to explore further.”

 Briony Marston, Education Manager, Landscape Institute said:

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the Newcastle College creative team and ONE Environments on this project. Newcastle College has a well-earned reputation for excellence and ambition in creative education, and I am excited to build on this partnership, creating more opportunities for young people and strengthening regional connections.”