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Architect

Do you want to become a Architect? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Architects design buildings and the spaces in and around them. They also help with the restoration and re-use of old or existing buildings.

• They are involved in projects from start to finish. Architects often co-ordinate projects.
• Architects ask detailed questions to find out exactly what the client wants and their budget.
• They also think about the needs of users and other interested groups before producing designs.
• After approval from local authority departments and the client, architects produce detailed working drawings.
• They then make site visits to check and inspect the work in progress.

Architects normally work office hours from Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.

Salaries range from £25,000 (around £17,000 in Scotland) for newly-qualified architects, to more than £40,000 for the highest paid architects.

An architect should be:

• passionate about buildings
• good at drawing and able to think in three dimensions (3D)
• inventive and imaginative
• good at problem solving.

Over 30,000 architects work in the UK and most work in private practice. Other employers include central and local government, construction companies and commercial and industrial organisations.

Most jobs are in London and the South East, but opportunities exist throughout the UK and abroad.

Architects complete a five-year accredited degree course, plus two years' practical work in an architect's office. Adults can apply, but need to be aware of the length of the training.

Progress depends on skill, competence and experience. In the private sector, architects could become associates and eventually partners in a practice. In the public sector, promotion is to principle or senior architect. An experienced architect could set up their own practice.

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