Finding the right apprentice and keeping them is the key to success.
We are currently witnessing a huge demand for apprentices, many agents are succession planning, and looking to ‘grow their own’ fresh and motivated staff. However, we are also seeing real problems for agents when it comes to finding (and retaining) the right ones.
Here are The Able Agent’s top 10 tips for finding the right apprentice.
1. Don’t recruit when you are desperately in need of a staff member to fill a vacancy. Consider the importance of succession planning. If someone leaves, do you have somebody in place they could step into their role? When a salesperson leaves it takes – on average – three months to return to generating relevant fee income levels.
2. Consider who will be responsible for the apprentice. If you are busy and short staffed this will have an impact on any training you need to do with them?
3. Choose an apprenticeship that helps the new starter operate as a property expert as quickly as possible and who can take some of the burden of training away.
4. Don’t rely on the national apprenticeship website to help you recruit. We advise that you recruit within your own network. You have landlords and sellers who may potentially have young people in their network who would love a career in property.
5. Set a clear career goal for your apprentice. The reason they’re choosing an apprenticeship is not simply to be cheap labour for you! Set clear milestones of achievement for them, for example: completion of assignments on time, or a point where they will earn a bonus.
6. Choose an apprenticeship that combines general knowledge as well as property knowledge. To attract a variety of candidates you may need to offer a business apprenticeship rather than a property apprenticeship.
7. When recruiting ensure that your applicants have at least a grade 5 in English and maths. This will ensure that their time is focused on the business and not re-sitting GCSE exams.
8. Highlight in any advert the variety of experiences your new starter will gain.
9. Try and make any recruitment adverts engaging. Use social media and advertise on your website or in your office window.
10. While offering an apprenticeship can mean having somebody in your business that you don’t have to pay as much…. consider adding bonuses to any minimum wage. To be driven to become a successful salesperson they will probably be driven by targets and income
The Able Agent/ITEC NE property apprenticeship has been developed in response to industry needs in line with current recruitment and property markets.
This Property apprenticeship provides structured property and business focused training to ensure employees emerge as legally compliant, effective sales people.
By following the Able Agent programme alongside a City and Guilds Business Admin Level 3 qualification, trainees will gain a fuller understanding of the property industry, to enable them to become productive staff members as early as possible.
Learn more about our Apprenticeship Scheme: https://www.theableagent.co.uk/qualifications/apprenticeships/