The PLACED Academy is a free to access, creative programme about the built environment for 14-18 year olds from across the northwest, empowering young people to shape the places we live, work and spend time.
The Academy is designed to increase participants’ self-esteem, break down barriers to professional careers through bringing participants and professionals together, expose participants to a variety of conventional and non-conventional career routes and develop a broad range of skills. Participants are also given the opportunity to work with design teams on live projects, allowing them to have their voices heard in the design of places.
The Academy was launched in 2019, and we have seen 126 graduates to date. We’re now accepting applications for our 2023-24 programme. You can find out how to apply here.
If you would like to support the forthcoming 2023-24 Academy programme, please head to Support the Academy to find out more.

“The PLACED Academy is an incredible opportunity that you shouldn’t pass up, the skills, knowledge, connections and most importantly fun that these events will present you with is not something to be ignored! It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that you will come to regret should you not take this chance to expand your horizons.
Lori, 2019-20 Academy Participant
The Academy is a programme from PLACED, a social enterprise delivering creative education and engagement programmes about the built environment across the North West and beyond.
Our Academy Programme would not be possible without the support and generosity of our partners and sponsors. Head to the Impact page to find out about our past supporters.
2022 PARTNER
2022 Outreach partner & gold sponsor
2022 Gold SPONSORS
2022 Silver SPONSORS
2022 VENUE PARTNER
2022 SPONSORS
PLACED ACADEMY 2023-24
We are thrilled to welcome the following supporters to our 2023-24 programme. There is still time to get involved and support our forthcoming programme. All the details about how you can join our sponsors can be found on the Support the Academy page.
2023 CONFIRMED partner
2023 CONFIRMED Gold SPONSORS
2023 CONFIRMED Silver SPONSORS
2023 CONFIRMED SPONSORS

“Do it. It opens so many doors and gives you a better understanding of the built environment. Plus, it lets you meet new interesting people who have passion for the built environment like you”.
Liam, Academy Participant