Architecture Education and Unemployment Issues for Architects in India

Architecture is a creative and technical field that requires a strong educational foundation and practical experience. In India, architecture education has evolved over the years, with numerous institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses. However, despite the growing number of architecture graduates, many face significant unemployment issues. This article explores the current state of architecture education in India, the challenges faced by graduates, and potential solutions to address unemployment in this field.

Architecture Education in India dates back to British Era and slowly and gradually it got formalized with various Government institutions initially in Metropolitan Cities and then to most of the states and cities.

Architecture as a field is blend of Art and Science which involves technical skills with knowledge of Mathematics and Physics and yet being creative.The basic knowledge of Architecture is through understanding of the five elements of Nature and our own human body.It resides with every common man and when it gets formalized through a curriculum ,and an affiliated body ,it becomes education and a degree holder.The affiliation in India is through @COUNCILOF ARCHITECTURE and #AICTE.

There are numerous Colleges all over India and Universities running Undergraduate programs and Post graduate programs in different streams.Around 25 years ago,only a few colleges were there and very few Post graduate programs were running in selected Government Institutions.Any Graduate or Post Graduate was inclined towards their own practice or join any Govt Institution or PSU to secure a Government Job.The policy of the Government in 2008-2009 with private colleges all over India saw the shift in Education system and this privatization led to mushrooming of the colleges all over.There was a need of the faculties at that time with so many institutions and the practicing architects who were having small offices with slow practice shifted towards Education.This shift was either forced by family or by circumstances and slowly they lost touch with the practical aspects of the field.It was a rosy situation until the admissions were good and soon it started turning into nightmares around 10 years back when admissions started declining.

What were the reasons and why it happened which played a major role in unemployment of existing teachers who shifted from their practice or who started their career as teacher only and had no knowledge of practical field.?

A recent trend which was observed at so many places was that management of the institutions hire freshers for long term and senior people for short term for obvious reasons of compliances.

The problem is with people who have experience of more than 25 years and yet they are unable to cope up in practical field despite experience as they had been out of touch and architectural practice is changed with lot of competition and insecurities of the architects in this fast moving pace of loosing the project if not delivered in stipulated time.

On the other hand students not joining architecture as a course as they compare themselves with their peers for monetary gains .The placement ratio and the salaries of the architects are  less as compared to other graduates which is a major demotivation for them to join the course as well as start the practice.

Quality of Education in Architecture Schools is having huge gaps as per the willingness of the managements to hire qualified professionals as well as willingness of the faculty to teach dedicatedly.The students also come from diverse backgrounds and that results in their comprehension of the knowledge they need to seek .The ichinen of the learner is crucial in the self development of an architect.

How the situation can be improved lies the responsibility of every human being associated with the industry.

First of all ,its important to self appraise and understand that the career option is not only limited to teaching or designing buildings.This education is a multidisciplinary education which always can give ample of opportunities apart from only designing buildings.Before that the peers also stop demeaning architects who have not designed anything in their profession.The profession is far beyond only design.

It encapsulates various other professions like Architectural Photography.Architectural Journalism,a social Worker ,Interior Architect ,Builder,Contractor,associating themself with product manufacturing companies,innovation for products,architectural critic through Cinema,and with specialization as post graduate could be an urban planner,urban designer,Researcher,Fellow,Conservationist,Historian,A travel blogger,Landscape Architect,Sustainability Expert ,Material Specification Advisor,Color consultant,Lighting Consultant,Accoustics Consultant ,Environment Consultant,Exhibition Designer,Set designer,Visual merchandiser,Facade Consultant,Green building Consultant,HVAC Design Supporter to the HVAC Consultants,MEP support Consultant,Project Management Consultant,Quality Assessment Consultant,Mobility and Accessibility Consultant and lot more.Most important is to identify the own hidden potential and start working on it and never underestimate yourself.

How these skills to be honed at primary level and how the gaps can be bridged.?

Internships in academic institutions from first year itself.

Flexible curriculums and credits to the students involved in internships and flexible attendance policies.

Owning up of private architecture colleges by big and renowned architects so that they can develop the architects suited to their needs.

Mentorship by professionals in the field in thesis and their design projects .

Design competitions by professionals in the institutions and colleges with set guidelines and requirements of live projects.

Creating the demands of architects in various other sectors and material industries.

Encourage practical knowledge in Classroom assignments rather than theories.

Creating Opportunities for architects in Rural Sector to curb Migration.

Embracing Technology with changing trends.

Encouraging Participation in Workshops and Seminars-This is important and here I would like to address all material companies to send invites to architecture colleges too so that their students who are the future architects develop interest in the subject .It also enhances networking skills of future architects.

Government Incentives to independent practitioners and Start ups and revised policies for Loans.

Curriculum Alignment with industry needs-introducing new courses as per the demand of industry and abolishing old courses.Teaching Soft Skills to bridge the URban and Rural Gap of the students from diverse backgrounds.

Joint Research Projects by Industry and institutions.

Architecture education in India is at a crossroads, with the need to balance the growing number of graduates and the limited job market. By addressing the quality of education, fostering industry connections, and supporting continuous learning, we can create a more sustainable future for architects. It is essential for educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to work together to tackle unemployment and harness the potential of the next generation of architects.It will contribute to the overall advancement of the architectural profession in India.