05 January 2015

Principal estate agents urged to give their support to the successful implementation of the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme by the Estate Agency Affairs Board

As most principal estate agents will be aware, the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme, which is presently being implemented by the Estate Agency Affairs Board, is aimed at placing intern estate agents from previously disadvantaged groups into the service of registered estate agency enterprises. The newly placed intern estate agents will be required to act under the supervision and control of a suitably qualified mentor estate agent for a period of twelve months during which time they will be equipped with the required property market experiential learning while they, where appropriate, will also seek to be certificated against the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4).

A major underlying objective of the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Programme Empowerment Brigade Programme is to increase the level of representation and participation of the youth and previously disadvantaged persons within the property sector in general and the estate agency environment in particular. The programme is, thus, open to matriculants, FET (TVET) college graduates, university and university of technology graduates as well as persons with disability.

The EAAB is actively seeking the cooperation of all registered estate  agency enterprises, and particularly that of medium to small estate agency firms, in pledging to act as mentors/host employers to the intern estate agents who will be participating in the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme. With the active support and ongoing assistance of such estate agency firms the EAAB will be able to match appropriate intern estate agents with willing and able mentors/host employers.

It is believed that the vast majority of estate agency enterprises are supportive of the goals and ideals exemplified in the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme.

Those enterprises who are willing and able to take at least one, but preferably more, intern estate agent into their service are respectfully urged immediately to access the EAAB website at http://www.eaab.org.za/myffc/one_learner and to complete the online form that will be found there. The online completion of this form will serve as an indicator of their willingness and ability to take intern estate agents into their service and will be used by the EAAB when placing intern estate agents who are participating in the programme.

It is to be underscored that, as the ‘One Learner - One Estate Agency’ Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme will be commencing in 2015, time is of the essence. The EAAB is confident that it can rely on the active support and much valued commitment of its stakeholders as it strives successfully to expedite the smooth implementation of the programme to the benefit of all stakeholders and looks forward to their participation in the programme.

01 December 2014

WHAT IS THE 'ONE LEARNER - ONE ESTATE AGENCY' YOUTH EMPOWERMENT BRIGADE PROGRAMME?

The 'One Learner - One Estate Agency' Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme is aimed at placing intern estate agents in the service of registered estate agency enterprises so that they may act under the supervision and control of a suitably qualified mentor for a period of 12 months. This internship period is intended to equip intern estate agents with the required property market experiential learning while they obtain the necessary real estate qualifications.

OBJECTIVES OF THE 'ONE LEARNER - ONE ESTATE AGENCY' YOUTH EMPOWERMENT BRIGADE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the programme are:

• To increase the level of representation and participation of the youth and previously disadvantaged persons within the property sector in general and the estate agency environment in particular;
   
• Ensure implementation of appropriate systems and supporting structures to facilitate, consolidate and enhance the property sector skills-base amongst the target groups to prepare for their active participation in the sector;
   
• To use the programme as a catalyst for skills transfer within the property sector;
   
• To use the programme to enhance job creation and economic transformation within the sector;
   
• To enhance economic growth and development through new entrants in the property sector by implementing support programmes;
   
• To create a platform to support the achievement of broader human settlements goals and economic development.

TARGET GROUPS

• The 'One Learner - One Estate Agency' Youth Empowerment Brigade Programme will target the youth and previously disadvantaged persons.
   
• It is estimated that approximately 10 000 intern estate agents will be sourced over a three-year period to take part in the programme.
   
• The programme is available to matriculants, FET (TVET) college graduates, university and university of technology graduates and persons with disability.
   

STRUCTURE OF THE 'ONE LEARNER - ONE ESTATE AGENCY' YOUTH EMPOWERMENT BRIGADE PROGRAMME

• Intern estate agents will be screened and placed on a 12 month internship programme where they will be required to act under the supervision and control of a suitably qualified mentor estate agent.
   
• During the internship period intern estate agents will be exposed to practical work experiential learning as well as theoretical study as they seek to be certificated against the Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 4). Intern estate agents and mentors must also maintain an intern logbook.
   
• Upon completion of the 12 month internship period and after having been certificated against the NQF Level 4 real estate qualification, intern estate agents will be required to enrol for and pass the Professional Designation Examination for non-principal estate agents (PDE 4). Interns estate agents having met these requirements will receive a status upgrade to full status non-principal estate agent.
   
• Persons who wish to become real estate business owners are thereafter required to be certificated against the National Certificate: Real Estate (NQF Level 5).
   
• Having registered as a principal estate agent, such persons are granted a period of two years to enrol for and pass the Professional Designation Examination for principal estate agents (PDE 5).
   

BENEFITS TO THE PROPERTY MARKET

• The level of representation and participation of the youth and previously disadvantaged persons in the property and real estate sectors will be significantly enhanced.
   
• The transformational goals and objectives established by the Property Sector Transformation Charter will be achieved.
   
• The scope of active economic participation by the youth and previously disadvantaged persons within the property and real estate sectors will be widened.
   
• There will be an increase in the level of understanding and appreciation of property as an economic asset and as a source of wealth.
   
• Professionalism within the sector will be significantly enhanced. Adequately trained and skilled professional property practitioners who have a real estate qualification amplified by on-the-job training will be able to discharge property market services diligently and professionally.
   
• The property sector as a career of choice and development will be promoted amongst previously disadvantaged communities and persons with disability.
   

HOW IS A PROSPECTIVE INTERN ESTATE AGENT PLACED WITH A FIRM?

Form for mentors/host employers
Mentors/host employers may complete an online form in which they indicate their willingness and ability to take intern estate agents into their service.Form for prospective intern estate agents

Form for prospective intern estate agents
Prospective intern estate agents may similarly complete an online form indicating their wish to be taken into service as an intern estate agent. They will be requested in addition, to provide and upload a curriculum vitae and photograph, and indicate their interest in the estate agency sector.

Placement of intern estate agents
Armed with this information the EAAB will be in a position to match appropriate intern estate agents with able and willing mentors/host employers. The intern estate agent will be required, at this stage, to apply to the EAAB for the issue of an intern fidelity fund certificate accompanied by payment of the required levy.

The EAAB trusts that this intervention will expedite the smooth implementation of the programme and looks forward to the cooperation of prospective interns and mentors in this respect.

CONTACT DETAILS

For further information on the 'One Learner - One Property Practitioner Youth Programme' kindly contact the Estate Agency Affairs Board on Tel: 087 285 3222 or email onelearner@theppra.org.za.