Apprentice architectural technicians are skilled in displaying building concepts through technology. They help provide technical advice to clients and work with construction design teams to make new structures a reality. As an architectural technician, you work with architects to produce building models.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- prepare technical information to plan projects
- collect and read technical data
- prepare plans using computer aided design (CAD) software
- prepare applications for approval by regulatory bodies
- develop specifications for building work
- give technical advice to the project team
- visit sites to check on progress.
Salary
- Apprentice architectural technicians can earn £18,000 – £20,000
- Trained architectural technicians with some experience can earn £26,000 – £35,000
- Senior architectural technicians can earn £35,000 – £48,000.
Working hours
You will typically work 38 to 40 hours per week and occasionally have to work evenings depending on the type of project you’re working on.
Working environment
You could work on a construction site or in an office.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice architectural technician include:
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Skills
On an architectural technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- thinking and reasoning skills
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- maths skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently.
Career path and progression
With experience you could work towards Associate or Affiliate membership of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists.
With further training, you could work towards becoming an architectural technologist.