Running head: VOCATION REPORT MEMO 1

Architectural Vocation Report Memo

Zainab Talib Kapadia

Work Environment – COMM 1017-38

Professor Judy Mussio

Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

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Memorandum

TO: Judy Musio

FROM: Zainab Kapadia - 38

DATE: 17th March, 2020

SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY VOCATION REPORT

The purpose of my report is to inform the reader about the key aspects of the profession of an
Architectural Technologist. The job of an Architectural technologist involves conceptually and
structurally designing buildings that primarily fall in part 9 of the Ontario Building Code.
Architectural technologists may be employed by consulting and architectural firms or open their own
designing firms. This report is integral for me, as the research and information outlined is this report is
an opportunity for me to reflect upon my future profession. It helps me to evaluate my prospects in the
construction industry of Canada. The report elaborates on 4 main aspects listed below:

 Role played by architectural technologists in the construction industry

 Required skills and qualifications
 Provincial prospects of employment
 Average wages earned

Sources

 Government of Canada. Jan 22, 2020. Job Outlook Report,

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/outlookreport/occupation/3400
 Anthony A. Davis. Nov 19, 2016. Architectural Technologists role in building Design is
growing, https://www.macleans.ca/education/architectural-technologists-role-in-building-
design-is-growing/
 Georgian College. 2020. Architectural Technology, Web Address if applicable.
https://www.georgiancollege.ca/academics/full-time-programs/architectural-technology
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Discussion

Role of architectural technologists in building design

The primary role played by an architectural technologist is in designing residential housing and
small buildings. The various duties they can perform are as follows:

 Estimate quantities of materials required and formulate costs based on conceptual or

completed set of drawings.
 Design two-dimensional building plans and elevations using Computer Aided Design
(CAD) software.
 Interpret and examine drawings and check for code requirements and violations.
 Design 3-D renderings of buildings using software’s like Revit and 3-DMAX.
 Prepare bidding documents for project tenders.

According to an article published in Maclean’s, Davis (2016) says

“Back in the ’70s they were known merely as draftsmen: people hunched over tables
using pencils and mechanical tools to churn out blueprints for architects and contractors.
But an evolutionary educational process has spawned architectural technologists,
endowed with skills in computer-assisted design (CAD) software, a deeper knowledge of
the national building code, and more building science comprehension than ever before.”
(Davis, 2016)

At present, in the private sector, architectural technologists can find employment as cost
estimators, quantity surveyors and design drafters. In the public sector, they may assume the role
of a plans examiner, building inspector, zoning examiner and chief building official working for
the building department after qualifying the BCIN exam. (Georgian College, 2020)

Required qualifications and skills to be successful

Architectural technologists are required to complete a two- or three-year diploma from a post-
secondary institution in Canada. Aspirants of this field get their diploma from technical colleges.
They also have the option to be certified members of the Ontario Association of Certified
Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). In order to get certified they need to
have at least two years of supervised work experience. According to the Government of Canada
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(2020) career handbook, it is mandatory to be professionally certified as a technologist in British

Columbia. However, in Quebec, only those who wish to use the title of ‘Professional
technologists need to be professionally certified. Architectural technologist who wish to work in
the public sector in Ontario, are required to get a Building Code Identification Number (BCIN)
by giving exams based on the Ontario Building Code (OBC).

Provincial prospects of employment throughout Canada

The employment prospects for Architectural technologists varies largely by province. While
some provinces have a fair chance of employment in this field, others have an undetermined
level of employment due to very low chances. The provinces where the chances of employment
are undetermined are Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince
Edward Island, Yukon territories, Northwest territories and Nunavut. (Government of Canada,
2020). The employment prospects for the remaining provinces is as follows:

 Quebec – Currently 4,450 people are employed in this field and the employment growth
is predicted to be moderate with positions created due to retirement.
 Ontario – Currently 2,850 people work in this industry and the projected growth is
moderate. New positions will be created due to retirement and development of smaller
cities.
 Manitoba – the employment outlook is fair in this province. Approximately 150 people
are currently employed in this field. Employment rates may fall in the future. Small
number of new positions will be available due to retirement.
 Saskatchewan – the employment chances are fair in this province as well. Only 250
people are employed in this field. The possibility of creation of new positions is low and
employment rates may decline.
 Alberta – The employment rates are fair. There will be a growth in employment of
architectural technologists in this province. This growth will lead to creation of new
positions. At present, 1,250 people are employed in this industry.
 British Columbia – the employment opportunities will see a decline in this province.
The current prospect of employment is fair. 1,200 people are employed in this profession.
(Government of Canada, 2020)
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Average Range of Income in Ontario

It is important for me to know the average wage of an architectural technologist in the province
of Ontario as I plan to work here. Average hourly wage for an architectural technologist in
Ontario is $24 per hour. They can also be paid as low as $14 per hour and as high as $41.03 an
hour, depending on the level of experience and certifications. The average wage for architectural
technologists in Ontario is lower than the average wage throughout Canada.

Figure 1 Average range of income of architectural technologists in Ontario

(Government of Canada, 2020)

Summary

The report intends to provide the reader information on 4 main points requiring consideration when
choosing architectural technology as a future vocation. It categorizes the information into the role
played by architectural technologists in building sciences, the required certifications and skills,
employment outlook in Canada and in the province of Ontario and median stipend throughout Canada.
Architectural technologists need to acquire a 3-year advanced diploma from a post-secondary institute
in Canada. They can be voluntarily certified by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering
Technicians and Technologists (OACETT). The employment prospects for them is fair in the Province
of Ontario. The average salary of Architectural technologists in Ontario is lower than the national
average. The information provided in the report is important to research for aspiring students of
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architectural technology programs. It helped me understand my career path after the completion of my
diploma and the outlook of my vocation in Canada.

References

Davis. A. (2016). Architectural technologists’ role in building design is growing. Maclean’s.

Retrieved from https://www.macleans.ca/education/architectural-technologists-role-in-

building-design-is-growing/

Georgian College. (2020). Architectural technology. Retrieved from

https://www.georgiancollege.ca/academics/full-time-programs/architectural-technology

Government of Canada. (2020). Job Outlook Report. Retrieved from

https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/outlookreport/occupation/3400

Government of Canada. (2020). Welcome to the career handbook. Retrieved from

https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/CareerHandbook/ChWelcome/9163ded111604a8dac49ed054fbc3b

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