All practices should offer you a contract of employment before you start the job. This facility gives you the chance to ensure that your conditions of employment are up to scratch. In addition to this guidance the RIBA has recently published new standard contracts for employing Part 1 and Part 2 students for use, free. You can access the template contracts of employments for Part 1 and Part 2 placements on the PEDR contracts page.

Practices may use there own bespoke employment contracts, however, you should read the model contracts and ensure that you are happpy with the terms and conditions set out in any contract BEFORE you sign it.

It is down to you as the individual student to negotiate your terms and conditions of employment and it is important to get it right. You should make sure you are familiar with the duties and resposibilities of an employer and the duties and responsibilities of the student on the pedr site, before you go to interview and definitley before you sign anything!.

If your employer is unsure as to what they is expected of them in employing a Part 1 or Part 2 student then it may be worth referring them to the PEDR website.

Additional information can be found on the excellent Association of Professional Studies Advisors in Architecture website at www.apsaa.org.uk.