Architectural technician

Architectural technicians provide support to other professionals in the building industry. This could be people like architectural technologists, architects, surveyors or engineers.

Work activities

Architectural technicians give support to other professionals in the construction industry. This might include:

Architects.
Architectural technologists.
Engineers.
Surveyors.

A major part of a technician’s work will be making sure the other professionals are able to carry out their work as smoothly as possible. Architectural technicians collect and organise technical information to be used during the development of a construction project. Technicians have to prepare drawings for a project using CAD software and also, sometimes, by hand. They will also work on preparing plans and specifications. In this job, you’ll probably be office-based. However, sometimes, you might get the chance to go on site visits. On-site, technicians will have to wear a hard hat and follow all health and safety regulations.

Personal qualities and skills

Architectural technicians need to:

Be good communicators, as they have to deal with a lot of different people.
Understand and be able to use CAD software.
Be accurate workers with a good eye for detail.
Have good organisational skills to stay on top of all the projects you’ll be working on.
Be able to draw and sketch things freehand.
Have an interest in how the construction industry can affect the environment.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates vary depending on qualifications and experience. The pay rates given are approximate. Starting off, you’d be earning around £18,000 - £40,000 a year.

Architectural technicians tend to work a basic 38-40-hour week with occasional weekend and evening work according to the demands of the project.

Work is available in all parts of the country in:

Central government departments.
Construction companies.
Education.
Local government architectural or planning departments.
Manufacturing companies.
NHS.
Private practices.
Research practices.

You should be able to find vacancies for this job throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for architectural technicians to work freelance on short contracts.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

You could get into this job after an HNC, HND or foundation degree in a subject such as architectural technology or the built environment. For most jobs, you won’t need a Bachelor’s degree.

Alternatively, you could apply to an architect’s firm by direct application after completing your A-levels equivalent, or apply for a level 4 (higher) construction design and build technician apprenticeship.

Once you have done the academic stage of training, you can apply to the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to become an associate member (ACIAT). To become a professionally qualified Architectural Technician (TCIAT) member of the CIAT, you will need to have one or two years of supervised work experience.

Some technicians are encouraged to develop their skills further and progress to become Chartered Architectural Technologists (MCIAT).

Qualifications

To enter an HNC, HND or foundation degree in architectural technology or the built environment, you’ll need:

One to two A-levels. Preferred subjects include maths and physics.
GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English, maths and a science subject.

If you didn’t do A levels, you could use:

International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications.

To get onto a higher apprenticeship, you will usually need two A-levels, plus GCSEs in English and maths.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant qualifications gained in the construction industry, and knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) are useful. If you lack traditional academic qualifications but have several years’ experience in the building or construction industries, you can still apply to enter a course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Related careers

Architect
Architectural technologist
Building technician
Surveyor