The trade and industry organization Sweden’s Architects wanted to get a better picture of how newly graduated architects are faring on the labor market. Tobias Olsson, who is the director of the association, is concerned by the results.
– There is a majority who do not have a positive belief in the future in terms of the prospects of working as an architect. It’s depressing to see, says Olsson.
Somber reactions in examination
The poor faith in the future is also shown in quotes from the survey:
“I think it’s mostly about the economy at the moment. Got a job straight after graduation but was fired after two months.”
“No ads out, and the ones that are there have over 200 applicants.”
“I feel that the positions advertised require several years of work experience in narrow and specific areas. It’s sad that five years of education plus a year’s internship doesn’t count as enough experience or competence.”
The gloomy picture is confirmed by the Employment Agency. There, the number of architects who are registered as job seekers has increased from 593 people in June last year, to 960 people during the same month this year.
Suddenly hard to get an internship
After her bachelor’s degree, Thea Tillberg tried in vain to get an internship.
– Those who were in the upper grades would have found it very easy to get an internship. When it was suddenly difficult to get an internship, I realized that it will affect my chance of getting a job, says Thea Tillberg.
She chose to drop out and is now studying to become a nurse instead.
Thea has several coursemates who did not get a job. She is concerned about the future of the architecture industry.
– There is a risk that we will lose a whole generation of architects, who will choose other professions or move abroad.
Did you consider that the industry is cyclically sensitive before you started studying?
– I thought that I would choose a profession according to my passion and then it would work out. I guess I didn’t think much of it.