Lockdown: one year on – Propertymark supports members during challenging year

As we approach one year on since the UK entered its first national lockdown, Propertymark reflects on how it has supported its members during the pandemic, with wraparound services such as legal and HR helplines, and encouraging them to invest time in training and professional development, with more than 6,600 agents registering for a qualification in response.

Main points:
  • Virtual training serves 3700  agents since 16thMarch 2020 – the beginning of the national lockdown
  • Number of apprentices registered with Propertymark Qualifications for Junior Estate Agent End Point Assessment now stands at 111
  • Propertymark successfully lobbied Government on key issues including Business Rate Relief and the reopening of the housing market

By implementing a new platform to allow for courses to be delivered virtually, Propertymark has seen a staggering appetite for online training, allowing access for members who previously saw distance and travel as a barrier. Propertymark Qualifications has also seen an increase in the desire for apprenticeships with registration numbers climbing steadily.

Looking back on a year in lockdown, Propertymark also successfully lobbied Government on numerous key issues impacting its members.

Training and Qualifications

Since March last year, Propertymark has virtually delivered training to 3,700 participants through small group sessions across 248 dates via its new platform. The most popular courses over the last year have included Anti Money-Laundering, Property Photography, Letting and Property Management for Senior Agents, and an Introduction to Commercial Property Management.  Webinars, which are free to members, have also thrived over the past year, with around 42,000 views.

Propertymark Qualifications has seen 111 apprentices registered for End Point Assessment for the Junior Estate Agent Standard since the start of the pandemic. 41 assessments have been conducted virtually over the last year. Both the candidates and the training demonstrate exceptionally high standards with 26 of the candidates achieving a distinction.

Propertymark Qualifications delivers exams at a range of levels, serving the sector throughout their career and learning journey and in total, 6,661 agents have registered to study for a Propertymark qualification in the last year.

Lobbying success

Throughout the pandemic, Propertymark has supported members through lobbying Government on key issues impacting estate agency businesses, including:
  • Expansion of Business Rates Relief to include sales and letting agents, estimated to have saved agents  more than £200 million.
  • The amendment of the furlough eligibility criteria to include commission payments for agents.
  • The housing market reopening earlier than other sectors to allow people to move home and for socially distanced property viewings to take place.
Propertymark Interim CEO Nathan Emerson comments: 

“While the events of 2020 have been destabilising, they have also been a catalyst for change. Propertymark has been by its’ members’ side throughout, and members have demonstrated strength and resilience which shows in the uptake of training and CPD opportunities. Propertymark is genuinely member-led and that has positioned the organisation to provide the resources required, in the right way, at the right time, for our members and learners.

“We are proud of our members, managing the workload, supporting their clients, and putting their professional development at the fore, making the most of the increased online and remote training opportunities that we have made available, this past year.”

 

To read more about the training available from Propertymark visit: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/training.aspx.

To read more about the qualifications available for property professionals, visit: https://www.propertymarkqualifications.co.uk/.

 

Kindly shared by Propertymark

Main photo courtesy of Pixabay