The RIBA
Future Trends Workload Index continued its positive trend this month, rising to
+24 in May 2018, up from +13 in April.
In terms
of geographical analysis, practices in London continue to be the most
pessimistic about medium term workloads, but with a balance figure of +16
London practices have at least returned to positive territory and on balance
believe that workloads will increase in the medium term.
The
balance figure in the Midlands and East Anglia was +18, in the North of England
+46, in the South of England +24 and in Wales and the West +28. Practices in
Scotland were somewhat more cautious, returning a balance figure of +17. It is
the northern powerhouse region that remains most upbeat.
In terms
of practice size, large practices (51+ staff) returned a workload balance
figure of +80, for medium-sized practices (11 - 50 staff) the balance figure
was +25, and for small practices (1 - 10 staff) the balance figure was +23.
The
private housing sector workload forecast rose to +22, the commercial sector
rose to +11 and the public sector rose up to +3: all moved in a positive
direction this month. Only the community sector workload forecast saw a
negative movement, falling to +3 in May 2018 down from +7 in April.
There was
also a sizeable jump in the RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index this month, up
significantly to +12 in May 2018 compared with +1 in April. The staffing
forecast for large practices (51+ staff) was +80 in May, for medium-sized
practices (11 - 50 staff) it was +18 and small practices (1 - 10 staff) it was
+9.
Mirroring
the Workload Index, practices in the North of England (balance figure +23) were
the most optimistic about being able to take on more staff over the next
quarter, whereas London practices (balance figure +3) do not anticipate a
significant recruitment drive.
Our
practices report that they are currently employing 12% fewer students (year out
or post part 2) than at the same time last year. Although it is not yet clear
whether this is a developing trend, nor whether it relates to a dip in the
number of suitable candidates, or just greater caution on the part of
employers.
RIBA Executive
Director Members, Adrian Dobson, said: “Commentary received from our
participating practices continues to suggest a reasonably steady work flow and
the overall mood music remains cautiously optimistic, but many practices report
fee levels are still under pressure because of the highly competitive market
for our services.
A small number of
correspondents report difficulties in recruiting staff, but this does not
appear to be a widespread problem at present, suggesting a fairly balanced
employment market for salaried architects."
