Listings - Property

Property

So, what's it all about?

What's the most expensive thing you'll ever buy? For most people, the answer is a house - by a long, long way. Housing in the UK is worth £3,575 billion - over half our total national wealth.

Not surprisingly, you don't just buy and sell houses over eBay. The seller appoints an estate agent to value the property, to advertise it, to show around potential buyers, and to manage the sale.

The buyer will employ surveyors to check over the property. It's their job to discover whether the house is actually built on a swamp, or to point out that the 'interesting water feature' is the result of a leaky ceiling. You can't just return a house to the shop if you find a fault after you've bought it.

Agents are also employed to let properties. It's their job to look after the property for the landlord, collect rent and check the tenants don't trash the place. They also make sure the property is up to standard and sort out problems (from infestations of rats to broken jets in the jacuzzi, depending on the type of property in question).

Everybody needs a roof over their head. That means the property sector also needs to provide housing for people who can't afford to buy or rent a house on the commercial market: subsidised housing for families on a low income, sheltered homes for the elderly, hostels for the homeless or temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

There's more to property than just housing, though. Businesses need homes too, and there's a vast range of premises available for different purposes: corner shops and out-of-town shopping centres, offices, car showrooms and mechanics' workshops, country pubs and fast-food halls, artists' studios and manufacturing plants. And don't forget public buildings like schools, hospitals or concert halls.

Most larger organisations employ facilities managers, who are responsible for looking after buildings and making sure they function efficiently and safely. Their job involves everything from setting the temperature of the air conditioning to organising fire drill procedures.

Last but certainly not least, this sector includes the cleaners. Whether they're hoovering up and emptying the bins in a school at the end of the day, attacking industrial machinery with power hoses, or sterilising hospital wards, we'd be in quite a state without them.

What qualities do I need?

have good numeracy skills
be a good communicator
understand buildings and how they work
understand the needs of people and businesses
have a good knowledge of the property market

Vital Statistics

Hours: Mostly a 40-hour week, but estate agents may conduct viewings out of hours. Property managers may need to attend to emergencies at any time. Cleaners often work antisocial shifts, including early mornings.

Environment: Depending on your chosen career, you're likely to divide your time between working in an office and visiting a number of other properties.

Location: Wherever there are buildings, there's a property sector.

Apprenticeships in this sector

These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.