Architects design buildings and create plans for outdoor areas such as parks and sports fields. In most countries, architect qualifications include a high school diploma and a college degree. Additionally, regional and national regulatory agencies often require architects to be certified; in this case, architect qualifications detailed in job postings typically include a valid license.
Many universities offer undergraduate degree courses in architecture. Students learn about design techniques during class based sessions and many degree programs include some practical training during which students are able to shadow licensed architects. Aside from offering general degree programs, some colleges also offer courses that focus on a specific aspect of the industry such as landscape architecture. Firms that hire people to design or improve outdoor areas and attractions often require job applicants to have completed a landscape architecture degree as opposed to a general architecture course.
Some colleges and universities offer postgraduate degree courses. Typically, these courses prepare students to design certain kinds of structures or work with particular types of materials. While some firms require job applicants to have completed postgraduate degrees, many individuals who take these courses end up working as university lecturers rather than as practicing architects.
Laws in many countries require construction companies to abide by certain building codes. To ensure that architects design comply with regional or national laws, regulatory bodies often require architecture graduates to attend vocational training courses. During these sessions, architects are taught about local rules and ordinances. At the end of the training course, class attendees are typically required to complete a licensing exam that may include both written and practical components. In some instances, architect qualifications that job candidates are expected to possess include both regional and national architecture licenses.
Aside from government agencies, industry associations in many countries regularly conduct training courses during which experienced architects are taught about new technologies and recent changes to building regulations. While enrolling in these courses is usually optional, many companies prefer to hire experienced architects who have completed specific industry association training classes. The architect qualifications detailed in a particular job posting may include successful completion of one or more of these programs.
In many instances, recently licensed architects work under the direct supervision of their more seasoned colleagues. Over the course of time, new recruits are gradually given greater levels of responsibility. Therefore, architecture firms seeking new workers often require job applicants to have several years of prior experience so as to avoid the cost of training inexperienced recruits.
