1. Sustainability

One of the most significant shifts we’ve seen in 2022 has been towards a much greater focus on sustainability and green building practices. This has been driven by the increasing awareness of the importance of reducing the environmental impact of construction projects as well as the wider trend of businesses embracing more sustainable practices. As a result, there has been an increase in demand for candidates who are knowledgeable about green and sustainable architecture. This includes knowledge of energy efficient and sustainable building materials, as well as energy efficiency standards.

2. Diversity

The demand for diversity in architecture was higher than ever. Companies were increasingly recruiting and promoting a diverse workforce hiring candidates from a broad range of experiences and backgrounds. This was due to a growing recognition that having a more diverse team can help foster creativity and innovation by bringing in a variety of perspectives to design decisions, as well as ensuring that projects were truly representative of the communities they served. Companies increasingly put into place measures such as actively recruiting from underrepresented groups, offering flexible working arrangements, and providing mentorship and training programmes for employees from all backgrounds.

3. Virtual Interviews

As the pandemic forced companies to work remotely, virtual interviews came into play and are now becoming the norm. Many companies have adjusted their hiring processes and it is now commonplace to expect first interviews to be conducted through video conferencing software. This has enabled firms to improve the efficiency of their recruitment processes and to remain flexible in accommodating the availability of candidates in a particularly competitive market.

4. Flexible Working

More companies than ever are offering hybrid and remote working opportunities to their employees as well as flexible work hours enabling them to recruit from a wider talent pool, increase productivity and in some instances, reduce overhead costs. 

5. Soft Skills

With the market for architecture roles becoming increasingly competitive, employers are looking for candidates with soft skills such as communication, creativity and problem-solving, acknowledging the importance of collaboration and building and maintaining strong relationships with other professionals such as clients, consultants, engineers, suppliers, and contractors.

6. Social Media

Social media has become an indispensable tool for recruitment in the architecture industry. Companies are increasingly using platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to promote their job postings and reach a wider talent pool as well as in some cases, assessing candidate suitability through social media profiles. 

7. Technology

The adoption and use of advanced technology is becoming an essential part of modern architecture and proved to be a prominent trend in the architecture industry in 2022. Companies were beginning to make use of advanced software and platforms to streamline their processes, deliver projects faster and remain competitive. As such, companies are increasingly looking for employees with experience in BIM and there has been an increase in need for staff who are able to work with virtual reality, augmented reality, and other cutting-edge technologies.

To Conclude

Overall, the UK architecture industry is undergoing a period of transformation, with companies embracing new technologies, practices, and approaches to recruitment. Companies are working towards creating a more diverse and sustainable workforce and are increasingly looking for employees who are experienced in BIM, green architecture, and the latest technologies. They are also placing more importance on soft skills such as creativity and communication. These changes show that UK architecture is becoming more innovative and forward-thinking, and that the industry is ready to embrace the future.

Best wishes,

Team FAT