20 June 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Estate agents and property services employers in the South of Ireland encouraged to hire apprentices to avail of financial incentive ahead of June deadline
Estate agents and property services employers in the South of Ireland are being encouraged to register their interest in hiring an Auctioneering and Property Service apprentice to avail of the €3,000 financial incentive before the 30th June deadline. The Auctioneering and Property Services Apprenticeship is a nationwide two-year, work-based learning programme for people seeking careers in auctioneering, estate agency, property management and property letting. The programme is offered at Cork College of Commerce by Cork Education and Training Board for employers across Munster and the South of Ireland. The programme is coordinated by City of Dublin ETB and delivered nationally in three locations.
Michael Downey, ERA Downey McCarthy, with Judy O’Brien, Apprentice, ERA Downey McCarthy, pictured in Cork.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO
Michael Downey, ERA Downey McCarthy (Right), with Judy O’Brien, Apprentice, ERA Downey McCarthy, pictured in Cork.
Picture: Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO
Urging employers to become involved in the scheme today was Michael Downey, of ERA Downey McCarthy in Cork, who said: “We’ve been involved in the apprenticeship programme since 2018, have hired 3 apprentices, and have had a hugely positive experience. We have found hiring apprentices to be a cost-effective way for us to recruit a highly-talented, loyal team – with a key benefit being that the apprenticeship offers a fast-track route for employees to gain their PRSA licence.
“The side-by-side learning experience of the apprenticeship lends itself well to our industry, and I would urge employers to consider hiring an apprentice.”
Also commenting on the apprenticeship was Brian Stokes, Apprenticeship Programmes Co-Ordinator
Cork College of Commerce, who said: “Cork College of Commerce has a long history of developing talent for the property sector. Since 2018, in partnership with CDETB we have offered employers in Munster the option to upskill existing employees or recruit new talent with this innovative programme which gives the perfect blend of on and off the job learning.
With over 70 employers working with us, we have delivered a new pipeline of talent and career progression for the industry while delivering an industry led and flexible model to get people on the path to become a licenced professional.
This programme is only the success it is because of the employers who have embraced it and made it a real success. We are always available to talk to employers to bring them through the programme”
Increased demand for apprentices
According to City of Dublin Education and Training Board, demand among the industry for apprentices is increasing. 231 apprentices from 17 counties across Ireland are currently in training or have graduated from the programme since it was launched in 2018.
Last year, 86 apprentices were hired by auctioneering and property services through the CDETB apprenticeship. In the first six months of 2021, up to 88 apprentices have been recruited, signalling much higher demand from the industry than in previous years.
In a recent survey of employers who have been involved in the programme to date:
• 93 per cent of employers would participate in the apprenticeship again.
• 96 per cent said the apprenticeship achieved the outcomes they anticipated for their organisation.
• 96 per cent also said the apprenticeship is an effective way to train apprentices for future job opportunities in the industry, with the fast track to attaining the PSRA licence in all four categories in two years.
Financial incentive
Until 30th June 2021, employers can avail of a new government package that offers a €2,000 payment to take on an apprentice, and a further €1,000 in the second apprenticeship year. Interested employers are encouraged to get in touch here: https://auctioneeringapprenticeship.ie/get-in-touch/
