Customer facing estate and letting agency staff will need a license to practice and a minimum level 3 qualification in Government announcements made today.
In line with today’s government announcements, Estate and letting Agents may be interested in a new Level 3 qualification with accompanying e-learning program.
The ABBE Certificate in Property Advice and Practice (CePAP) is a Level 3 qualification, registered with Ofqual and has been developed alongside The Able Agent® elearning program, specifically designed to combine learning and skills in both lettings and estate agency legislation, compliance, sales skills, customer service and client advice. It features a contemporary blended style of learning to support both new and experienced staff.
Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell had started the development of this new qualification over 2 years ago due to frustrations with the limited choice available in the industry and the lack of combined thinking in estate agency and lettings.
Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell – Director of the Able Agent ltd said “Even without today’s announcement, there are many core industry issues that come up again and again; namely training new starters and keeping existing staff up to date with legislation changes in both estate agency and lettings. In a difficult market place, agents need confidence advising customers and the skills to spot business opportunities….and in a marketplace where business owners have a genuine risk of a prison sentence and fines, training should be aiming to solve these real problems”
The world of property legislation has changed dramatically in recent years, most recently the tenant fee ban and Homes (fitness for habitation) requirements for lettings agents, and there is currently a spotlight on estate agents’ referral fees to introducers.
In today’s announcement the Government is planning to license all staff involved in key roles and that these staff must have a minimum level 3 industry qualification. Business owners involved in day to day negotiations may need a level 4 so the industry change continues.
“Staff turnover in the industry is historically high. Research shows that around 40% of employees who don’t receive the necessary job training and support will leave their positions within the first year. Licensing and mandatory qualifications are a key part of moving the image of the industry to one of Professional experts.”
The Certificate in Property Advice & Practice has been designed to be sat in just 1 exam sitting and to demonstrate knowledge in estate agency AND lettings. Once completed, staff then have an option to progress to a Diploma (DipPaP) with additional specialist modules such as Sales Progression, Property Management or Auction, further recognising their knowledge and experience and allowing an enhanced level of expertise to their clients.
More details of both the qualification and the elearning programme are available at www.theableagent.co.uk or from support@theableagent.co.uk.