Photography by Michael Leckie
Last month, I wrote about the need to tackle skills shortages affecting projects worldwide.
As I said then, part of the solution is broadening our profession and attracting people we have not traditionally sought to join the sector. There’s a lot of potential for growth when only 19.6% of RICS members are women and only 27% of real estate professionals are from lower-income families.
This is why I am pleased that RICS is investing £90,000 to fund a number of bursaries for new entrants from across the UK. These will provide funding to support living costs for those studying full-time on an RICS-accredited course and will include mentoring to help students move successfully into business.
Those whose backgrounds mean they’re completely new to the industry may not have the networks or contacts to offer sector-specific knowledge or top tips. So the support covers CVs, job applications, and even advice once they’re in work.
Broadening the talent pool
A programme like this is only part of the solution, however, as it’s available to those who are already interested in surveying. Broadening the talent pool for the profession must also include reaching those who would not otherwise consider a surveying career.
This is where our work with education providers matters. Early engagement outreach across all markets – through schools, colleges, universities and training providers – helps support growth in the profession. It maintains our future pipeline of professionals and brings greater diversity to the applications we receive.
In the UK, we work with a selection of schools that reflect a diverse demographic in terms of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status and religious belief, reinforcing that surveying is a profession for all. When students move on to university, we also guide them towards choosing RICS-accredited degrees or apprenticeships.
Then there is support for those graduating from university and entering employment. This is also where our brilliant Matrics network helps new surveyors through their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and the early years of their career.
Outside the UK, our focus is on undergraduate and postgraduate students, promoting their conversion to RICS membership. We also work with universities that provide RICS-accredited degrees.
Surging interest
Across the globe, we’ve increased our engagement activities this year, and the effect has been staggering. In the first six months of 2024, we received around 3,700 careers enquiries, more than 10 times the number for the same period last year. These figures make clear the scale of latent interest in our profession.
The challenge we face is activating this latent interest, to recruit more professionals. And by we, I mean all of us in the profession. Already, thousands of RICS members volunteer their time to support careers engagement worldwide. We can always use more volunteers.
Our latest innovation will be virtual work experience, which could reach half a million students, building on the growing face-to-face activity. But developing this also depends on members’ support.
Ultimately, our profession is best sustained when we all play a part in sustaining it. Whatever your specialism, wherever you are in the world, you too can support and inspire future surveyors.
I look forward to seeing you on campus, in school, or online soon!
“Our profession is best sustained when we all play a part in sustaining it” Tina Paillet FRICS, RICS President
