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FTTO Job Information

Architectural Technologist

In this section you’ll find:

General information on foreign-trained professionals in the architectural field.
More specific details about work in architectural technology.
Information about the job market for architectural technologists in Ontario.

Fast facts about Architectural technology:

Jobs in architectural technology are strongly linked to the construction industry.
New technology and use of computer design means architectural technology skills must be regularly updated to stay current.
More of the work normally performed by technologists and technicians is now being done by architects and engineers. This trend may limit job growth.
In 2004, 95% of working architectural technicians and technologists in Ontario were in full-time jobs.

A recent comprehensive study of internationally-trained architectural graduates also found:

50% of those working in the field were employed as CAD technicians.
Understanding the construction and the architectural industry in Canada and building social contacts in the field are important to finding a job according to a focus group of foreign professionals.
A very large number of architectural professionals settle in the Greater Toronto Area. This ‘flood’ of people may make finding a job in the industry in Ontario more difficult.
74% of foreign-trained architectural professionals are not currently working as architects in Canada.
Because several of those surveyed did not do enough research and planning before coming to Canada, many foreign trained professionals did not have the documents needed for professional assessment when they arrived. This slowed down the process greatly.
Internationally-trained architectural professionals are much more likely to be hired by large firms.

What are employers saying ?

Employers surveyed believe the skills most needed by architectural professionals from abroad are:
- Knowledge of technical standards and code
- An understanding of the legal context
- Building and engineering technology knowledge
- An understanding of a range of architectural activities
- Written communication
- Professional oral communication
Employers in the field of architecture felt language skills were the biggest barrier to working with internationally-trained professionals.
Professionals often thought their language skills were higher than employers believed them to be.

“We hire a lot of immigrants, but have no immigrant hiring strategy per se. What’s more important is that they are well-attuned to fair enterprise and have the necessary skill set.”

Christina Shu-Hotta, Director, Americas Talent Acquisition, AMD.

The Job Market

Top Regions for Architectural Technicians and Technologists in Ontario:

Toronto
Ottawa
Hamilton - Niagara Peninsula
Kitchener - Waterloo – Barrie
London

Average Income:

Annual Annual Income Ontario Workers All Occupations	Average Annual Income Ontario Architecural Technology Workers	Average Annual Income, Certified Engineering Technicians/ Technologists	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, All Workers	Average Hourly Canadian Wage, Technology Workers
$47,299	$44,164	Associates $52,800 Technicians: $67,300 Technologists: $72,500	$18.07	$20.56

Source: JobFutures.ca

CERTIFICATION

Find out more about OACETT (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists ) and what you need to get certified by clicking here.

These salaries are considerably higher than the Ontario average but this data may be higher than the true average because:

The sample size for the study was quite small (252 people total)
The average salaries are of OACETT certified members. Certification may account for the higher wage.

ATTO Certification

In Ontario, technologists and technicians who work in architectural technology may or may not be required to be certified or licensed but this will depend on the employer. To use the official titles below, however, you must be certified through the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario: