Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 236

HOUSING AND PROPERTY
clients and projects on the go at once.
The most direct route into the job is with
an undergraduate or postgraduate degree
accredited by the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS). There are
also apprenticeships, which last two
years and will give you associate member
status with the RICS.
How much can I earn? Trainees start on
around £20,000 to £25,000, while the
average salary for experienced surveyors
is in the region of £50,000.
Learning experience
Students may be living alone for the first time, and
they need accommodation to fit their needs. That's
where PBSA comes in...
Student numbers in the UK are at an all-time high, including many
international students, and this is predicted to continue growing.
The number of youngsters heading to college or university is
outpacing the supply of accommodation for them all, and the
availability of houses of multiple occupation for students is
falling, which is driving a demand for 'purpose-build student
accommodation' (PBSA).
Development planner
At any property company, development
planning is a significant and crucial part
of the business. As a planner, you'll be
involved in preparing and submitting
planning applications and feasibility
studies, researching development sites,
developing client relationships, and
preparing design and access statements.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Ideally, a degree or postgraduate
qualification accredited by the RICS
or the Royal Town Planning Institute
(RTPI) - but showing you're working
towards one may be enough to secure a
role, especially if you have experience in
the sector. Apprenticeships are available.
Presentation and report-writing skills are
essential, and you must be comfortable in
a client-facing role. A thorough knowledge
of your local area is also helpful.
Not only does this include building new developments, but also
converting unused office space (which is now less in demand with
the shift to remote working) to student accommodation. All this
requires staff, from technical services, project management and
surveying to investment, sales and consulting.
Some companies offer graduate, internship and apprenticeship
programmes, in diverse areas such as building surveying,
engineering, commercial real estate, energy and sustainability,
finances and accountancy, and project management.
Staff are also required for the day-to-day running of student
accommodation, including property management, housekeeping,
security, maintenance and student support.
surveying will help you get a foot on
the ladder, but if you don't have one,
there may be the opportunity to gain the
qualification on the job. You need to be
a natural multi-tasker, commercially
aware, with good numeracy skills.
How much can I earn? Trainee salaries are
around £23,000, but with experience this
People will always need homes, so the
housing and property industry offers
secure careers in an interesting sector
How much can I earn? Starting salaries
are usually around £22,000, while senior
planners earn £45,000.
Investment adviser
This varied role will see you manage the
investments people have in property, and
create strategies to get clients the best
return on their investments. This involves
coordinating with other teams, such as
developers and surveyors. Inspecting
properties is another part of the role.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You'll start as a trainee, working with
more senior colleagues. A degree in
can rise quickly to £30,000 or more.
Commissions can boost your earnings.
Property manager
Playing a vital role in keeping landlords
and tenants happy, you'll oversee the
day-to-day running of residences - even
entire blocks of flats - including arranging
repairs and service visits. You'll be a point
of contact and act as a go-between for the
landlord and tenant, ensuring any issues
are resolved promptly, avoiding disputes
and mediating when they do arise.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You don't need a qualification in property
236 /// JOBS & CAREERS /// jobsandcareersmag.com
management, but it helps. When it comes
to career development, you could work
towards qualifications from the Institute
of Residential Property Management or
the AssocRICS qualification from the
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Great communication and negotiating
skills are up there with excellent admin
and organisational abilities. A driving
licence is usually essential as you're likely
to be travelling from one estate to another.
How much can I earn? As a property
manager, you could earn £25,000 to
£45,000 a year, depending on location,
your experience and the size of the
portfolio you manage. As you develop
skills and take on the management
of more properties, your earnings could
increase significantly.
Find out more
* Chartered Surveyors
Training Trust
cstt.org.uk
* Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors
rics.org/uk
* Royal Town Planning Institute
rtpi.org.uk
http://cstt.org.uk http://rics.org/uk http://rtpi.org.uk http://jobsandcareersmag.com
Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

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