Friday 1 April 2011

Archaos 'Low Pay and No Pay' Architecture Survey

97% of Architects and students feel that working for free damages the profession!!


[Quote] Just for info, the latest results of the ongoing survey of low pay and no pay; An overwhelming 97% of Architects and Students feel that working for free damages the profession. With 38% of employees with a Job not having a formal contract, and 14% of people with paid jobs are getting paid less than the minimum wage.

Check back for more results next week. [End Quote]

On twitter, there seemed to be a small buzz amongst the architectural community over here in the UK. 
The RIBA has recently released a statement suggesting something what we all seem to know is a major issue for the continuing education and training of future architecture professionals. They suggest that all RIBA practices should pay the National Minimum Wage to students on their time of practical training in the workplace. Currently the National Minimum Wage here in the UK for over 21's (Average graduation age) is £5.93 per hour. That in itself is appalling considering one can earn much more than that in a non-professional work environment, such as a fast food restaurant. Elsewhere on the Archaos website, it is stated that the recommended rate of pay for a Part 1 Architectural Assistant is £8.56 per hour (August 2009) and should increase dependant on location (London is £10.27 per hour [+20%]).

As per my comment on the above post, it is a shame that the practice of employing young aspiring architects and not paying them seems to be the 'norm'  in our industry with volunteering seeming to be the only route for many to gain experience on the practical year out in employment during these economic times. To add to this is seems that even though we are recommended by countless employment agencies and careers advisors outside of our field, to go via the volunteering route, the strenuous workload imposed on many volunteers is equal and in some cases more than what a paid employee would receive, further stressing the point that those 'volunteers' need to be paid for the service/job they are doing.

I would gladly volunteer for my current first year out in employment but would not be able to commit to a full-time workload as many volunteer positions may require! It is simply not financially or reasonably viable and anyone who chooses to do so is either out of their mind or seriously rich!