Region's architectural firms struggle to find good talent

With the population boom in Northern Nevada, architectural firms are feeling acute growing pains due to a lack of qualified, available talent.

Ric Licata, principal architect of Licata Hansen Associates, professor of architecture at Truckee Meadows Community College and president of the American Institute of Architects chapter in northern Nevada, has a few theories about the profession's trouble.

"First, other industries are taking graduates from architecture school," he says, pointing to construction and even the film industry as major culprits.

The film "Gladiator," for example, required architectural guidance in set construction.

"Second," Licata continues,"changes in the industry are requiring more expertise."

For example, a new state law requires state government buildings to be certified by the U.S.

Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program."This requires specialized knowledge that for the most part isn't out there among practicing professionals." The fact that there is no accredited school of architecture in northern Nevada seals the fate of firms in the region.

Although TMCC's two-year program allows students to transfer to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as juniors to complete their education, there is no guarantee that UNLV graduates will return home to work.

Jim Mickey, vice president ofWorth Group Architects' Reno office, says that one of the firm's biggest challenges is the cost of living.

"For people outside this area looking to move here, our high cost of housing is a deterrent," Mickey says."Although the TMCC program gives people a start, if you need someone with five to 10 years' experience and a license, it doesn't make much difference."

Mickey also believes that there aren't enough building projects in Northern Nevada to attract out-of-town talent.

"While I think the design talent here is incredible, there's a perception that we're behind, and that's unfortunate," he says.

As a result, Licata says,many local firms outsource work.

Licata Hansen, for example, uses its architects for design work only; they outsource administrative or drafting work.

"Luckily we've been able to do that locally, but some national firms are outsourcing overseas.

That doesn't help the local economy, and it's a sad alternative," he says.

Because Worth Group Architects has offices in Reno, Las Vegas and Denver, it attracts a wider pool of talent and provides attractive options for potential recruits.

If cost of living in Reno is prohibitive, for example, recruits can choose to live in Denver while handling Reno projects.

Even so,Mickey says it's difficult to locate architects with expertise in the kinds of projects Worth handles, so it's resorted to a recruiting service.

But the firm must outsource some work.

"We have to look at a staffing strategy, and what we really need here.

For drafting services, we can actually send information to someone 12 hours away at the end of our workday, so that when we come in at 8 a.m., the work is done and sitting on our computer.

I think we'll be seeing a lot more of that," he says.

Licata sees tremendous need for a school of architecture in the area and says if the University of Nevada won't do it, there might be an opportunity for a private school.