Member Article

Surveying Apprenticeships more popular than ever in NE

Surveying firms across the North East are being urged to consider taking on apprentices after funding has been made available following a surge in interest for the surveying profession.

In the last year alone, training provider, the Chartered Surveying Training Trust (CSTT) says it has received more than 1,300 applications from young people, keen to pursue a career in surveying through the new Surveying Apprenticeship.

Apprentices are of huge benefit to any size firm, including SME’s says Asset Skills, the skills body for property, which is encouraging local surveying companies to consider taking on apprentices as part of its UK Academy for Property, developed in collaboration with RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

RICS North East spokesperson, Kevan Carrick, Partner of JK Property Consultants LLP says: “We have recently taken on an apprentice and we will continue to recruit more as and when we need to, as it’s a cost effective way of enabling us as a company to ensure our workforce has the skills we need, both now and in the future.”

He adds: “The current hefty tuition fees are putting many talented people off going to university, so apprenticeships are becoming a hugely popular alternative option. I am a big fan of unconventional routes to learning, and we as an industry need to utilise apprenticeships so that we keep new talented individuals coming through the ranks and don’t face a skills shortage when the recession ends.”

The Level 3 Surveying Apprenticeship can be studied flexibly. Combined with work experience, it can also qualify candidates for full RICS Associate membership on completion and can lead to progression opportunities to become a chartered surveyor.

Christina Hirst, Chief Executive of the CSTT, adds: “While many surveying firms have embraced the scheme through the CSTT, not enough have stepped up to the mark as yet and seized on the benefits of recruiting bright young people who might otherwise miss the chance of starting and developing their career in surveying.”

She adds: “With apprentices, employers have the advantage of being able to mould them according to the company’s needs as they are so young. More importantly, individuals who are finally being given a chance to demonstrate their worth tend to show a growing sense of loyalty towards the employer. In this particular case, they are also already committed to the industry and know that this is the career they wish to pursue. Invaluable, if you think how deeply high staff turnover rates can affect a business.”

For further information on the Surveying Apprenticeship, please contact Tom Orton on ukacademy@assetskills.org or call 0844 822 2525 as soon as possible.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kim Bailey .