A: An HNC in building studies will provide you with the technical knowledge you are lacking. I would suggest you do this on day release rather than going back to college full-time and I would encourage you to get work experience with an architectural practice as soon as possible.
While studying to become an architectural technologist, you are eligible to apply for student membership with the British Institute of Architectural Technologists, and upon completion of your HNC you are then able to apply for associate membership.
In order to progress to full membership, you are required to undertake a test of professional competence under interview circumstances, which you are invited to do upon successful completion of your log book.
Architectural technologists are specialised in the science of architecture in building design and construction. The work is more varied than a standard architectural role and traditionally involves taking the initial conceptual design and providing detailed building solutions: that is, acting as the link between design theory and construction. Once you have completed this qualification, it is unlikely that you will have any problems finding a position.
At the moment, you have the right credentials but you do not have the relevant qualifications to walk straight into an architectural technologist's role. You must therefore obtain the qualifications and be flexible. Be prepared to work as a junior technologist. Be realistic in your salary expectations; you are likely to earn between £12,000 and £14,000.
Architectural technologists are involved in taking the initial conceptual design and providing detailed building solutions
I would suggest that you send out speculative letters to private practices in your area and give them a call to arrange a meeting.
It would also be worth considering temporary work with a practice on a cheap rate, to get your foot in the door and at the same time gain valuable work experience.
Q: I am an architect in Paris and want to establish a basis for comparing French and UK gross salaries. What would the UK employer and employee pay in contributions. And what does OTE mean?
A: Most individuals in the UK are entitled to earn a certain amount before they are liable to pay income tax. For a single person, with no benefits in kind, the amount is £4535 a year. Earnings above this attract tax as follows: up to £1880 a year, 10%; £1880 to £19,400, 22%; £29,400 and above, 40%.
National Insurance is also payable on earnings in excess of £4535 a year. This is known as the earnings threshold. The employee pays 10% NI on income above the threshold up to a maximum of £29,900 a year, the upper earnings limit. The employer pays 11.9% on an employee's income above the threshold, but there is no upper limit. OTE stands for On Target Earnings and crops up with sales jobs. It is made up of basic salary plus commission.
Postscript
by Robert Smith of recruitment consultant Hays Montrose
