The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) has published the findings of its latest , a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects鈥� profession.听听
The June 2024 findings show that, over the next three months, architects anticipate higher workloads, and, with the 澳门王中王 Staffing Index hitting a two-year high, practice staff recruitment is expected to increase. This suggests that practices are preparing for long-term growth.听
Architects continue to expect increasing workloads
In June, the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Workload Index fell slightly by 2 points to +4, indicating that architects expect workloads to increase overall.听
Over the next three months, 23% of practices expect workloads to increase, 19% expect them to decrease, and 58% expect them to stay the same.听听
The outlook for small practices (1-10 staff) rose by 1 point to a Workload Index figure of +4, after rising above zero for the first time in over a year last month. The outlook for medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices remains optimistic at +11, but softened by 19 points compared to last month.听
The regional picture also remains broadly positive, although the outlook for London (-3) and Wales and the West (0) fell by 5 and 2 points respectively. The outlook for the North of England (+15) and the South of England (+2) remained positive but fell by 8 and 6 points respectively, while the Midlands and East Anglia (+10) continued to grow in confidence, rising by 10 points.听
The outlook among monitored work sectors has improved overall. The outlook for the Commercial sector (+5) strengthened by 1 point, with London and the North of England the most optimistic about commercial work. While still negative, the outlook for the Private Housing sector (-1) improved by 4 points, and the Public sector (-5) held steady. The outlook for the Community sector (-5) fell by 3 points.听
Enthusiasm for recruitment suggests practices preparing for long-term growth
In June, the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index rose by 6 points to +6, indicating that more practices intend to increase staff numbers than reduce them. This marked improvement is the highest figure in over 2 years, suggesting practices are preparing for long-term growth.听
- Over the next three months, 13% of practices expect to employ more permanent staff, 7% expect to employ fewer, and 80% anticipate no change.听
- On balance, all practice sizes expect an increase in permanent staffing levels, although this is more common among medium and large practices.听听
- The regional staffing outlook is positive, with London (Permanent Staffing Index: +5), Wales and the West (+11), the South of England (+7) and the North of England (+3) all optimistic, and only the Midlands and East Anglia (0) expecting no change.听
- The Temporary Staffing Index fell by 3 points to -1, suggesting decreasing numbers of temporary staff 鈥� perhaps reflecting a move towards recruiting permanent staff.听听
- Levels of personal underemployment rose slightly from 23% in May to 25% in June.听听
澳门王中王 Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson 蝉补颈诲:听听
鈥淭he profession鈥檚 outlook is positive for a third consecutive month -聽 a welcome recovery after the the negative outlook that characterised the second half of 2023 through to the start of 2024. Nevertheless, the recovery in the architects鈥� market is tentative, and significant numbers of practices remain pessimistic.听
We are yet to see the effect, if any, of Labour's widely anticipated general election victory 鈥� stay tuned for next month鈥檚 report.听
Commentary received in June indicates an improving market for some but a mixed picture overall. The general election, while bringing a sense of change, also brought a level of uncertainty.听
While practices continue to report that the planning system is dampening workloads and hampering project delivery, a small number of practices report an improvement in planning application progression.听
Some relay fewer enquiries and downward pressure on public sector work, while others describe a growing order book and steadying private housing workloads.听
We will continue to report our findings to the Government and work with other built environment bodies to monitor these trends.鈥澛�
Notes to editors:聽
- Media contact: Ruby.OShea@riba.org听听
- Completed by a mix of small, medium and large firms based on a geographically representative sample, the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Survey was launched in January 2009 to monitor business and employment trends affecting the architects鈥� profession.听
- 229 practices took part in the June 2024 survey.听听
- The survey is carried out by 澳门王中王 in partnership with the Fees Bureau. Results of the survey, including a full graphical analysis, are published each month .听
- The definition for the workload balance figure is the difference between those expecting more work and those expecting less. A negative figure means more respondents expect less work than those expecting more work. This figure is used to represent the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Workload Index.听
- The definition for the staffing balance figure is the difference between those expecting to employ more permanent staff in the next three months and those expecting to employ fewer. A negative figure means more respondents expect to employ fewer permanent staff. This figure is used to represent the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Staffing Index.听
- To participate in the 澳门王中王 Future Trends Survey, contact 02073073749 or practice@riba.org. It takes approximately five minutes to complete, and all returns are independently processed in strict confidence.听
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (澳门王中王) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow for regular updates.听
