DOMINIQUE NOËL, president of ArchiBat, specialised recruiting agency for the architecture industry : "Experienced architects wanted"

Le Moniteur: The Building Industry and Public Works in France operate well. Do you find this affects the job market for architects?

Yes. We work for architectural firms as well as for other employers, such as Works Owners, Developers or Real estate and Technical Services in many Companies. At the moment, young architects fresh out of school can easily start out working for an architectural firm, but the biggest challenge we face is finding highly experienced candidates. The demand for architects with solid backgrounds is generally very high for both architectural firms and works Owners .

Le Moniteur: Is the demand from Works Owners new to the industry?

No, but it seems to be increasing steadily. Since the 1990 crisis, I am convinced that there are alternatives for architects and it is possible to find work in companies other than architectural firms. Today, this theory has been proven. All Works Owners, retailers, industrial companies, the service sector and real estate developers, seek experienced professionals who are able to manage and maintain their real estate properties. They are also looking for project managers who know how to manage costs, stick to deadlines, carry out surveys and oversee construction.

Le Moniteur: Is it easy to find candidates who are willing to leave architectural firms to work for other types of Companies ?

More and more architects between the ages of 35 and 45 (freelancers or full-time employees) want to be on the move and seek new horizons. Working for Works Owners no longer has the negative connotation today as it did in the past. Architects who have decided to work in this field are deemed professional architects. One thing is certain; rarely would you find architects taking the reverse route, shifting from a position by a Works Owner toward an Architectural Firm.

Le Moniteur: Are young graduates aware of the variety of occupations within the industry?

No. Often, they have a narrow perspective of what is involved in architectural project management and stop at the preliminary design phase. Few young graduates are aware of the execution phase and most are not aware of the opportunities available outside architectural firms. But when starting out, I always recommend learning the industry from within a firm. Taking this path I feel is crucial because they would have the chance to learn about the different responsibilities involved and would be able to manage increasingly larger projects, although the new generations tend not to have the same devoted drive as previous generations.

Le Moniteur • May 19, 2005