The Australian Institute of Architects is calling on the federal government to extend wage subsidies paid to employers of trainees and apprentices to companies employing architecture graduates.
The Institute says the change is urgently needed to improve employment prospects for graduates.
“A national survey of our members at the beginning of last year found that nearly one-third of respondents (27.27 percent) had been forced to lay off or stand down staff,” said Victorian chapter president Bill Krotiris.
He added that Victoria trains the majority of architects in the country, with 43 percent of all Master of Architecture graduates coming from Victorian universities.
“Our modelling of a subsidy equivalent to that currently offered for apprentices and trainees to employ the 1,300 Master of Architecture graduates from 2020 would generate a return on investment by the end of the first year of 132%, excluding savings from avoiding reliance on unemployment benefits.
“It’s a ‘no-brainer’, and we are only seeking it for two years to get the 2020 graduates who were heavily impacted by Covid-19 directly into working alongside Architects in practice.”
The ABC reported that a University of Melbourne graduate of architecture took drastic measures after failing to secure a job since completing his Master of Architecture degree in November 2020. Kushagra Jhurani stood with a placard at railway stations in Melbourne’s CBD to “advertise” himself for employment. He was eventually offered a job by Metro Trains.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the image of this young person, while, at the same [time] thinking of all of these graduates whose potential contribution to a future sustainable, safe and high-quality built environment across our country in the cities, suburbs and the regions could be lost,” Krotiris said.
“We call on federal and state and territory governments to urgently address this crisis.”
