Inspiring the next generation to share my enthusiasm for the world of surveying is a top priority during my tenure as RICS President. RICS can, and will, play a crucial role in addressing skills shortages across our sectors through our standards, our relationships with education providers and major employers worldwide, and most importantly, by working together with our current members, who must serve as role models for young professionals.
The challenge: skills shortages and gaps
Significant skills shortages in surveying and across the industry are a reality. Encouraging more young people, as well as those looking to retrain, to enter the profession is essential to meet demand.
The most recent RICS UK Construction Monitor found that a shortage of general labour (44%) was one of the top factors limiting construction activity and holding back the UK government’s goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes. Additionally, the Construction Skills Network estimates that over 225,000 additional workers will be needed by 2027 to meet sector demands in the UK alone.
This challenge is not unique to the UK. The 2024 International Construction Market Survey by Turner & Townsend revealed that 79.1% of international real estate markets cite skills shortages as an area of concern.
Beyond attracting sufficient talent into surveying, we must also ensure they have the right skills. Addressing the skills shortage also means tackling the skills gap. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, published in January, identifies key drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030, including technological change, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts, and the green transition. The report highlights that skills gaps are the biggest barrier to business transformation, with an estimated 59 out of every 100 workers needing upskilling or reskilling.
RICS already recognised these challenges in our groundbreaking RICS Futures: Our Changing World report a decade ago, which identified key drivers of change impacting the sector. This was followed by our 2019 Future of the Profession report, which highlighted the influence of technological development, artificial intelligence, and urbanisation on the surveying profession.
To overcome these issues, we must address the following challenges:
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Limited awareness: career pathways within the sector remain underrepresented in schools and colleges
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Perception issues: the industry is often seen as narrow or inaccessible, especially by diverse demographics
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Career changers: there is limited re-entry support for those returning after career breaks or transitioning from other fields.
What can RICS do to address the challenges?
As a leading global professional body and standard-setter, RICS is uniquely positioned to shape the future of the built and natural environment. Our mission extends beyond setting standards to fostering a diverse and skilled workforce capable of addressing 21st-century challenges.
RICS has laid a strong foundation for educational influence and career support through various initiatives, including course accreditation, apprenticeship programmes, partnerships with other organisations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
However, we must do more. I am advocating for RICS to expand its leadership role by:
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Collaborating with universities to align curricula with industry needs, integrating skills in digital transformation, ESG reporting, climate risk assessment, and circular economy principles.
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Showcasing success stories from a diverse range of RICS members to enhance the profession's visibility.
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Engaging with students earlier in their academic journeys.
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Facilitating internships, placements, and apprenticeships to provide hands-on experience.
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Delivering workshops, webinars, and mentorship programmes to build employability skills and confidence.
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Strengthening ties with local and national governments to advocate for the profession.
Furthermore, we will continue to develop and update our standards to ensure they remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. Our updated valuation standards, the Red Book, were recently published, and we are currently working on updating our construction standards.
Additionally, the Entry & Assessment Review will introduce changes to the qualification process, making it more accessible while maintaining the high standards required to become an RICS member.
Continuing the Conversation
I am eager to engage with members, stakeholders, and governments worldwide to gather insights on addressing the skills gap, attracting a diverse next generation, and ensuring current surveyors remain upskilled. As part of my presidential activities, I plan to host a series of roundtables and publish the findings throughout the year.
I encourage members to share their ideas with me at president@rics.org. I am keen to hear your thoughts and collaborate to secure the future of our profession.
