In order to support the property industry to counter the recruitment and retention crisis, The Able Agent, the online property training and qualifications provider, has launched a new apprenticeship programme.

With training and development being a prominent draw for those seeking employment, and a huge demand for candidates to fill vacancies in the property industry, The Able Agent is hoping this course will enable agencies to encourage a greater number of apprentices to the sector.

The Able Agent spotted a critical gap in training access, with a limited offering in estate agency and letting agency apprenticeships at Level 3. The company has chosen to partner with ITEC NE, a leading training provider in the North-East of England that specialises in digital training and apprenticeships, to solve this issue.

The apprenticeship programme will enable participants to gain a City and Guilds Level 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration, the ABBE CEPAP Level 3 (Certificate in Property Advice and Practice)*, as well as develop important functional skills in Mathematics and English. The 14-16-month long course is designed to help new or existing staff gain a nationally recognised, industry standard qualification and the expertise needed to give professional advice to clients.

Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell, co-founder and director of The Able Agent, said: “We are delighted to have launched this course. We wanted to deliver a training programme that would be accessible and beneficial to apprentices and businesses, with specific property content, as well as wider material around aspects of compliance and business development. The combination of skills and qualifications mean apprentices are then able to look at working in an agency with a holistic view, thus facilitating them to progress rapidly in their career.

“At the end of the day, it is vital that those entering the industry are provided with a strong foundation of knowledge, which will build confidence and a passion that remains with them throughout their career. It is imperative that their agencies support them in getting it right from the start” – creating well-rounded specialists.

“This programme of study, and the excellent methods The Able Agent employs on its platform to facilitate learning and development, will hopefully create a new generation of estate and lettings agents, and help ease the strain on businesses looking to attract and retain skilled agents.” – Tracy Wilson MD at ITEC NE

“We are so keen to encourage new blood into the industry. We’re hot on personal service and wanted to ensure we can train up new members of staff in our style of agency; youngsters we can also offer excellent career prospects.” – Simon Mackin, director at of Sweetmove estate agents near York, has recently appointed their first apprentice.

“Sweetmove has committed to enrol all apprentices on the Level 3 Apprenticeship programme, because it enables apprentices to learn about general business in a structured way. And by doing a level 3 rather than level 2 – they will be set up for any potential regulation under RoPA.”

For further information on apprentice related courses, please contact charlotte@theableagent.co.uk

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