Hired not fired! Apprentice estate agents come a step closer

A new junior estate agent apprenticeship standard has been launched with skills being offered for residential, commercial and auction sectors.

Created by an employer group led by NAEA chief executive Mark Hayward and property consultant Aidan Reed, it will provide apprentices with a standard of practical experience and training regardless of which agency they are joining, giving them the capability for career progression and enhancing their ability to undertake further qualifications.

Apprentices need to achieve level one English and Maths and take the test for level two prior to taking their final assessment. 

The apprenticeship is at a level equivalent to five GCSE passes.

Typical duties of an apprentice are likely to include preparing the floor plans of a property and assisting with preparing sales particulars along with data registration. 

Additionally, the junior estate agent conducts viewings, receives formal offers made by buyers and carries out basic property research, including marketing procedures through portals, websites and various databases.

“We’re delighted to be the external quality assurance body, ensuring apprenticeship assessments are fit for purpose and delivering consistently high and relevant standards. The government is looking closely at qualifications as a way to raise professionalism in the industry, and this is the starting point for those interested in a career in property” says Hayward.

“We know a lot of employers aren’t able to provide training themselves because of their size. This apprenticeship will fill those gaps giving fresh talent coming into the industry a solid grounding. It’s vital that agents embrace this opportunity, as in the modern landscape of estate agency, it’s the people who add value that make the difference” explains Reed.

To coincide with the launch, NAEA Propertymark will be releasing the Employers’ Guide to Apprenticeships.

Apprentices will be eligible to apply for NAEA Propertymark or NAVA Propertymark Student membership. As a student member they will have three years to obtain a recognised qualification and full membership.