Finding the managers of tomorrow

According to Bob Keats, Education Consultant to the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM), Residential Property Management may not be first choice in the minds of career advisers, and indeed, they probably don’t know what it is.

As a result, nor do school leavers or university graduates, so talk to a Property Manager and they probably came into the sector by ‘accident’.

The Government recently revised (upwards) the number of leasehold properties in England and Wales, and there are now estimated to be over three millions flats. They all need some kind of management, so the IRPM, with its almost 3,000 members is a significant sector for people to consider working in.

The IRPM, in their recent quarterly journal, restated that they offer individuals an independent accreditation for their professional skills, a clear career development path, improved employment opportunities and networking with fellow professionals. It now offers a three-stage examination, and is looking to get recognition of that learning pathway by accrediting points through the higher education framework.

The current round of IRPM roadshows is targeted at existing members, but more is being done to get the message into schools and colleges, and the IRPM membership working group has sent out leaflets to career advisers about the sector. More will be done in the coming months and years to follow up on this.

Keats says many employers in the sector are actively engaging with schools locally to draw in apprentices. The work of the IRPM and the managing agents trade body ARMA, will help show that Residential Property Management is a real option for a career offering interest, diversity and some fascinating experiences.

Graduate and youth unemployment will always be a hot topic, and one that does not have a definitive answer but the industries that will succeed and grow over the next 20 years will be the ones that engage the youth effectively now.