Capacity has become a real issue when it comes to surveying and valuations, especially during recent times. Combatting this remains an ongoing challenge and is the reason why we continue to invest heavily in our recruitment, training and development strategies.
Finding people with the right drive and skillset to maintain best practice and professional standards is tough for any business. With this in mind, I’d like to share the story of a recent addition to the Countrywide team to help outline the attitude required to succeed, the training process and how they were affected by lockdown.
"Having spent 13 years working for a small, independent estate agent, any sort of career change was going to be a big step. But having climbed the ranks as far as I could, I knew it was time for a new challenge and to be rewarded for the work I was putting in. I had stayed in touch with a local surveyor at Countrywide, who contacted me in the summer of 2019 to advise me that a new batch of trainees were being selected for September. I applied, attended the interview, and was offered the position of Trainee Surveyor.
"I knew it would mean a number of months of early mornings, late nights, weekend working, stress and hard work – but the light at the end of the tunnel was a recognised and sought-after AssocRICS qualification and the prospects of a fantastic new career. I always described it as “short term pain for long term gain”.
"I commenced with 12 round trips to Milton Keynes, attending every Monday, where I began the intensive training sessions covering all information on construction and defects I would need, but also on the “competencies” – written declarations as part of our RICS submission - which showed the knowledge I had gained and my understanding of what it meant to be an RICS professional. The set-up was very organised, gave me confidence going forward, and the training team was second to none.
"The other four weekdays I spent with my mentor, a practising Countrywide surveyor. Shadowing someone with so much experience was key to my success; having someone to answer questions on a daily basis, and this form of vocational learning was absolutely critical.
"Furthermore, having 11 trainee colleagues, all in the same boat, was the best thing I could have asked for. Our shared experiences and individual strengths and weaknesses were what ultimately got me, and no doubt all of us, through the process. If one person didn’t know the answer to something, you could guarantee someone else would, supporting each other from start to finish.
"2020 soon came round and come the 1st February I was ready to make my submission. I then had a two-month wait to find out if I had been successful. Late in March, as the Covid-19 pandemic began to take hold, I was placed on furlough along with many others, only a few days before finding out my results. Suddenly, the pressure for a positive outcome became apparent, however, my fears were short-lived as a few days later I received the good news that all my hard work had been worthwhile. I was gutted that I couldn’t immediately get out “on the tools”, as I had a lot of momentum going from all those months of shadowing.
"I used my time on furlough wisely by taking advantage of the RICS’ free CPD offerings. This helped me personally by forcing me to keep to a routine but also maintained and improved my knowledge. In the summer, I was invited to return from furlough and I haven’t looked back since. It’s hard work but challenging and allows flexibility. My working life is more organised and focussed now, and I’m glad to say I don’t have any regrets. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side…. But sometimes it is."
This is a great example of the transition from one area of the property market to another, although this is not the only route into the surveying and valuation sector. At Countrywide, a further 20 surveyors have passed through our training academy to add to the 200 plus we have introduced over the past six years. And we look forward to the next batch joining them out in the field soon.
