For Apprenticeship week we spoke directly with a Property Apprentice currently working towards their L3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration and CePAP (Certificate in Property Advice & Practice)
Aldo Bernardi, getting to grips with the industry working at Cooke & Co in Whitley Bay
Aldo, 24 years old, started his apprenticeship in October 22 and his work includes Sales and lettings apprentice. Aldo spoke to us about his experience in the property industry and how he has found his apprenticeship.
“An estate agent, as seen through the window, is someone sitting comfortably at a desk, in a climate-controlled office, who taps away at their keyboard, occasionally using their handset to bother some poor soul over the phone, sipping on tea and coffee all day long. The reality of Estate Agency is entirely different.”
“It is a clash of voices, all delivering the most informed, expertly curated information for hundreds of individual clients over the phone and in-person. It is a battle to communicate down long chains of property exchange to keep a sale progressing. It is a sea of information and jargon that I was wholly unprepared for. Being able to work in-office with my new team supporting me alongside training with Catherine and Dawn from ITEC NE has allowed me to keep my work-flow calm and consistent.”
“The monthly structure of the Able Agent Scheme has aided in keeping my expectations and progression organised. The resources and support that both my office and Able Agent has provided me with has given me a solid grounding I can keep coming back to reliably, which is really invaluable when starting a role in such a dynamic work environment. This industry is complex, it is emotional and it is not for the faint of heart”
What is a typical work day?
“What is a typical work day? Like the game of chess, you can expect to be dealing with certain tasks – your King (arranging viewings), your Queen (market appraisals), your Knights (customer enquiries) but also, like the game of chess, there are seemingly infinite ways your day could play out. Try as you may, you will never be fully prepared for every situation but as the Apprentice, it is my job to use the knowledge, resources and experience provided to me by my colleagues, ITECNE and Able Agent to the best of my ability in order to learn and grow moving forward in the role. You have to accept that every single call, every single task will be slightly different and as such must be approached with consideration and a willingness to accept and learn from mistakes.
“My typical day starts with a morning meeting – a great way for everyone to get caught up with significant events and prepare for the day ahead. I am always included in conversation and asked for my input. Next thing to do is make sure everyone gets a lovely mug of tea or coffee – the lifeblood of the office! Moving forward throughout the day, the incoming phone calls take priority. I will answer and do my best to arrange appointments, answer enquiries and direct calls to more experienced colleagues when I know I do not have the training and knowledge to be able to assist. It’s always good to check the diary early on in the day to identify potential conflicts before they happen. The day continues by going through our emails which include a host of customer enquiries, business opportunities and leads for viewings and valuation.”
“After stopping for lunch (Always buy from local businesses) I’m looking to get feedback from our viewings and otherwise fill in the gaps of work that need to be addressed (As Bruce Lee said “Be as water, my friend”). It’s very, very difficult starting a role like this as there are so many ways in which a simple task can be different from the last – being able to rely on a library of information which the Able Agent provides is such a huge boon to your abilities and confidence. I love referring back to their Glossary of Terms as a way to refresh my mind on certain topics. Getting towards the end of the day, I try to make sure all tasks have been addressed by flicking through my pages and pages of notes I’ve scrawled throughout the day.”
If you’re considering a career in the property industry, Aldo’s experience as a sales and lettings apprentice gives great insight into the day-to-day. While the industry may seem daunting and complex, an apprenticeship provides a solid grounding that is invaluable when starting out. With the support of a dedicated team and access to training resources like the Able Agent Scheme, an apprenticeship is a great way to gain hands-on experience and develop the skills needed to succeed in the dynamic world of estate agency. And for agencies looking to hire, apprenticeships provide a pipeline of talented individuals who can be trained and moulded to fit the company’s culture and values.
Hiring a Property Apprentice
During National Apprenticeship Week, The Able Agent is hosting a webinar to help agents recruit their next apprentice.
The company has also launched a free Apprenticeship Recruitment Toolkit: Get your Free Apprenticeship Recruitment Toolkit for Estate and Letting Agencies – The Able Agent®