Ruth Reed orders members to adhere to minimum rates of pay
RIBA president Ruth Reed today ordered members to pay the statutory minimum wage to those students undertaking work that counts towards the professional development element of their courses (PEDR).
The decision was taken following recommendations from the RIBA’s pay and conditions working group, established by Reed in November 2010 to address concerns architecture students completing fee-earning work in practices. It was unanimously endorsed by the institute’s professional services board.
The future of architecture depends on a succession of talented designers and we must do all we can to prevent them being deterred by the spiralling cost of education, Ruth Reed
The RIBA currently publishes guidelines outlining recommended rates of pay for architecture students completing their PEDR experience, established in collaboration with architecture student body ARCHAOS. However, this is the first time that RIBA chartered practices will be required to adhere to minimum rates of pay.
Reed said: “Whilst all appreciate that trading conditions are extremely difficult for practices at the moment, the financial position of students is particularly severe and about to get considerably worse when fees treble next year.
“The requirement for adherence to the National Minimum Wage will assist students in completing their education and go some way to alleviate the effects of the education cuts on the flow of talent into the profession.
“The future of architecture depends on a succession of talented designers and we must do all we can to prevent them being deterred by the spiralling cost of education. Further investigation into pay levels will be undertaken which will help to provide a level playing field for job costs and fee bids for chartered practices”
The change will be applicable to all RIBA chartered practices from 1 July 2011.
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