Breaking the Age Old Apprenticeship Cycle in the Property Sector

We all need an opportunity. I was offered an apprentice role when I left school and chose that path rather than go on to university.  However, current perception in the property industry around apprenticeships feels a little like “what’s in it for me”  OR “how much do I get if I recruit an apprentice?”  rather than I am looking to grow my business, I am willing to give a young person the opportunity to come into my business, work with my team and start a career in the property industry.

I had great entrepreneur mentors in my career who have been an inspiration to my outlook in business and given me guidance and drive. We all need to be inspired and I am sure if you reflect on your career, you can pick out who has been instrumental in your career path and how important that is to carry it on.

We as agents need to be that guiding figure for the property sector.

In order to grow the property sector and help with the current issues around recruitment and retention, employing an apprentice will very quickly become essential in helping agents to increase staff levels and achieve business growth. Apprentices are easier to mould towards delivering a company’s specific ethos and values.

Choose the right course

Choosing the right tutor to inspire and motivate your apprentice is key. In addition, giving the apprentice the right resources and an industry specific qualification is essential to ensure that they are fee earning and generating business (and commission for themselves ideally) as early as possible. Having worked in the industry and been responsible for recruitment and training of teams over the years I am well aware of the how much time is needed to support new starters.

Able Agent Sales & Lettings apprenticeship

The new Able Agent and ITEC NE Property Apprenticeship has tackled all these problems and provided a solution. The apprenticeship covers estate agency and lettings, with selling skills included. The apprentice learns about business in general through a Business Administration course and Property via The Able Agent and the L3 Certificate I Property Advice & Practice.

To support employers they will have a dedicated property professional supporting the new starter for the first 3 months. Our aim is to deliver a fully compliant, sales person by the end of months 6.

As people leave their job role if they feel like they are failing or are unsupported, this extra support is designed to help business owners. By taking care of your apprentices, they will be loyal and generate income for your business. They will be your succession planning which in light of current recruitment issues – can you afford to ignore?

Apprentices can be any age!

And don’t forget – apprentices are not only school leavers earning minimum wage, but they can also be people of any age, looking to change career, being paid any salary over and above the Apprenticeship wage of around £5 per hour.

Spending time at the beginning, working with us to ensure we support both you as the employer and your staff the results will follow…. Growing your business with an apprentice is the way forward.

For more information on The Able Agents new apprenticeship email support@theableagent.co.uk

About the Author

Catherine Calvert has worked in the property industry since 2008.

Catherine came into the industry as a Self-employed Sales Negotiator moving into a listing role and further progressed her career into Senior Management for the last 12 years. Catherine has a great understanding of the industry from recruitment to training through to delivery of results.

As a qualified trainer, she has valuable experience of working with people from new starters, to experienced members of the team, and knows how to maximise training and development to deliver a positive experience and outcome for the learner and the business.