IEASA National - News

Adapt or die: new qualifications to be compulsory for entry into the industry   Article Date :8 Jul 2002 New era for estate agent training, standards THE real estate industry is poised to enter a new era of greater professionalism, particularly in the sphere of training and qualifications. Fad Gabriel, the Institute of Estate Agents of South Africa's national director of education, says when he was appointed in December one of his priorities was to build up a relationship with Services Seta (Sector Education and Training Authority). Each company in South Africa pays a 1% skills levy to Seta which will ultimately be used to train employees so that they can promoted to higher positions. His other priority was to secure a better relationship with the Estate Agency Affairs Board, the statutory body governing the industry. "Our expectations were greatly exceeded, we not only have a fantastic relationship with Seta, but we are in the final stages of being given the Certification and Continuing Professional Development activities from the board," Gabriel said. Gabriel explained that for the past few years, government-appointed authorities had been hard at work reorganising the country's education system. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has been set up to create and manage the new qualifications framework. Setas have been established to oversee and promote training in their respective economic sectors. "The process has now reached the stage at which the real estate industry's qualifications have to be re-shaped to fit into the new system. Estate agency industry training providers and their courses have to begin adapting to the new system or else they will be left out in the cold," Gabriel said. "The Institute of Estate Agents' national board is committed to maintaining its role as one of the industry's training providers, and must therefore adapt." Some of the more important changes taking place include: · For the first time in history, estate agency qualifications have to conform to National Qualifications Framework standards and outcomes. · The SAQA-appointed Standards Generating Body is drawing up the standards for the industry's qualifications. · When the new qualifications have been developed, the Estate Agency Affairs Board intends to make them compulsory for entry into, and advancement within, the industry. · The Services Seta intends introducing compulsory certification and continuing professional development, over and above formal course qualifications. This would require every agent to attend workshops each year to keep up to date, failing which he or she could be refused renewal of the fidelity fund certificate for the following year. The Argus – Saturday 29 June 2002 GRAHAM NORRIS Property Editor CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE MAIN NEWS PAGE