COMMENT I knew when I was at school that I wanted a career in the real estate sector, but I also knew that I did not want to go to university. I am a practical learner and absorb things best when I am physically doing them, so being able to do a job and learn at the same time made sense to me. It was during work experience while still at school that I first heard about apprenticeships and thought this could be a way for me to begin a career in the sector.
However, the timing of finishing my education and applying for apprenticeship programmes fell during the Covid-19 pandemic and I found that many real estate firms had either reduced or completely cancelled their apprenticeship schemes. Luckily for me, Savills was one of the firms still recruiting. My offer was accepted in September 2020 and I started in the company’s occupier services team in January 2021.
The apprenticeship route not only offers me a path into real estate, but also provides a practical education in the sector that will result in five years of industry experience by the end of it. For me, the exposure to the industry at such an early stage and the responsibility I have been given over the last year and 10 months has been invaluable.
Due to the nature of the team I am in, I have had the opportunity to work on international projects in Toronto, Copenhagen, Dubai and Paris. These projects have been mostly office acquisitions within these cities, but we also assist occupiers with disposals and relocations, as well as account management.
Everything in context
Through my apprenticeship I have been introduced to the world of work at a much earlier point than I would have in a classroom. I have been able to absorb and learn everything first hand, including actually working in an office, writing professional emails, speaking to clients and managing workloads.
It has also been a chance to raise my profile within the industry early on and make connections I can carry on throughout my career. It has been a fully immersive experience where everything is in context and I have been able to put my knowledge and learnings into practice in ‘real time’, asking questions as I go along.
The importance of apprenticeships in the real estate sector should not be underestimated. If I am honest, I am not sure if I would have entered the industry if I had not been successful in applying for an apprenticeship.
Interestingly, my school did not promote apprenticeships, as it was generally expected that you would go to university and follow the more traditional route. However, it feels that this path is becoming a more ‘normal’ way to enter the sector and the perception of apprenticeships has shifted, most definitely by those undertaking them and the businesses that are offering them.
Savills, for example, has 223 apprentices across the business, 61 of which were recruited this year.
Listen and learn
Not everyone can or wants to go to university, so apprenticeship schemes open up a different route to a career in real estate. It is also a vital way to attract more diversity into the industry, which is a crucial part of real estate’s success.
My advice to anyone looking for an apprenticeship is to go along to ‘insight’ days – these are as literal as they sound and allow you to get a better understanding of the job on offer, as well as the business, which may help to cement your decision.
For those who have been accepted onto an apprenticeship and are about to start their job, my advice would be to come in with confidence. No one is going to expect you to know what you are doing, but if you are happy to listen, learn and absorb as much as you can, it will stand you in good stead to start you career. Have confidence in yourself that what you are doing is right for you.
Isabelle Walters is an apprentice at Savills and part of the EG Future Leaders programme
