Level 4 Apprentice Architectural Technician
Office For Contemporary Rural Architecture Limited
UK (EX39 1RJ)
Closes on Sunday 1 March 2026
Posted on 1 December 2025
Contents
Summary
We have a vacancy at Office For Contemporary Rural Architecture for an Apprentice Architectural Technician. Based at our studio in Appledore, North Devon, you will gain hands-on experience across design, technical detailing, and real project delivery. Learn from an experienced team, develop key industry skills, and build a strong foundation for your architectural career.
- Wage
-
£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Construction design and build technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 27 April 2026
- Duration
-
2 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
We’re looking for a motivated and proactive Apprentice Architectural Technician to join our friendly team at OCRA. This is an exciting opportunity for someone at the very beginning of their architectural career who is eager to learn, develop hands-on skills, and contribute to real projects from day one.
At OCRA, we work across a diverse range of residential and commercial projects, with a strong focus on thoughtful design, technical quality, and client care. As an apprentice, you’ll gain exposure to all stages of the architectural process—from early concept development and digital modelling to technical detailing and on-site coordination. You’ll work alongside experienced architects and technicians who will support your growth, offering guidance, feedback, and opportunities to expand your skills.
We’re looking for someone who brings enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and an eye for detail. You should have an interest in the built environment, enjoy problem-solving, and be comfortable working both collaboratively and independently. Basic familiarity with CAD or digital drawing is a bonus, but not essential—what matters most is your mindset and motivation. In return, we offer a supportive learning environment, structured apprenticeship training in partnership with Exeter College, and the chance to play a meaningful part in the development of high-quality, real-world architecture.
This role is ideal for anyone seeking a practical route into the architectural profession. If you’re excited about building your future in architecture and want to start your career within a dynamic and approachable practice, we’d love to hear from you.
- Assist in preparing architectural drawings, models, and technical details
- Support the production of CAD and BIM documents under supervision
- Help develop planning and building regulations drawings
Carry out project research, surveys, and site measurements - Organise and maintain project files, drawings, and documentation
- Contribute to design development and problem-solving discussions
- Assist with preparing specifications, schedules, and reports
- Communicate with team members, consultants, and suppliers as required
- Help review construction information and ensure accuracy of details
- Support the team with general administrative and project-based tasks
- Learn relevant software, standards, and industry best practices
- Develop an understanding of materials, construction methods, and regulations
Where you'll work
4 Meeting Street, Appledore,
Bideford
UK
EX39 1RJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
EXETER COLLEGE
Training course
Construction design and build technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
Training schedule
HNC in Architectural Technology, Construction Design and Build Technician.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
- Maths (grade C/4)
- English (grade C/4)
Desirable qualifications
BTEC or equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Administrative skills
- Team working
- Creative
About this employer
We are a RIBA Chartered architecture practice designing beautiful homes for private clients, and delivering a wide range of complex commercial projects across many sectors. Our main studio is in Appledore, North DevonWe work with our residential clients to create bespoke, well detailed and sustainable contemporary spaces. Our expansive commercial portfolio covers regeneration, mixed-use development, educational buildings, museum and events spaces plus sporting facilities. We offer a
After this apprenticeship
- Assist in preparing architectural drawings, models, and technical details
- Support the production of CAD and BIM documents under supervision
- Help develop planning and building regulations drawings
- Carry out project research, surveys, and site measurements
- Organise and maintain project files, drawings, and documentation
- Contribute to design development and problem-solving discussions
- Assist with preparing specifications, schedules, and reports
- Communicate with team members, consultants, and suppliers as required
- Help review construction information and ensure accuracy of details
- Support the team with general administrative and project-based tasks
- Learn relevant software, standards, and industry best practices
- Develop an understanding of materials, construction methods, and regulations
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
EXETER COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000003210.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 1 March 2026
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