The ‘new apprenticeship’

With the introduction of increased UK university tuition fees this year, the applications to universities are expected to fall – this may affect the property industry too

With the horror stories of expected student debt of anything from £20,000 to £30,000, we could see the property profession sourcing its new blood from what could be considered a more traditional route. Companies and organisations are already looking at taking on individuals and training them to become chartered surveyors through organisations like the College of Estate Management which offers a complete range of property and construction courses by distance learning, allowing candidates to ‘earn and learn’.

Ben Elder from the college said: “the college has seen a tremendous increase in the number of candidates on all of its courses over the past 12 months and the interest from employers looking to sponsor candidates through their studies has also increased. Employers are seeing the benefit of this approach to filling skill gaps because they get to work with the individuals for a period of time at a relatively low initial cost and see them grow into productive members of the firm in a very short period of time. Candidates benefit from seeing the practical application of their academic studies from the very start.”

It is a bit like turning the clock back to the days before universities offered full time courses in surveying and to become a qualified surveyor you were taken on as an ‘articled clerk’. it is not quite the same now, as the College of Management offers a comprehensive range of awards from entry level courses, through a range of BScs to a full suite of Masters programmes including a conversion course for non-cognate degree holders from other disciplines. Candidates can now obtain an academic degree at the same time as a professional qualification. All of the college’s courses are provided by distance learning and supported by web-based student services, allowing the candidates to earn as they learn – thereby avoiding student debt – and the employers get dedicated employees eager to learn. A win-win situation.