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Inexperienced trainers muscling in on real estate sector

2008-03-31

Realising that there is now a very real need for training in the estate agency sector and that Services SETA is offering large sums of money in valuable bursaries for such training, many training bodies are now setting themselves up to offer courses for estate agents and their principals.

But, said Tony Clarke, MD of Rawson Properties, in far too many cases these non-industry trainers are out to make a quick buck and are creating confusion by offering courses that are not fully compliant with what is required.

Clarke was a member of the standard governing body that set up the NQF Level 4 and NQF Level 5 qualifications for agents and principals and is, therefore, 100% familiar with what is required under the new regulations soon to be promulgated - but, he said, many of the trainers with whom he has talked show surprising ignorance of these very important matters.

“I have the impression that many wrong concepts become quickly accepted as fact and are then passed on to their students, with disastrous results,” said Clarke. “This can only result in the students failing to meet the necessary qualifications.”

Drawing on a highly praised summary supplied by the CEO of Services SETA Ivor Blumenthal, Clarke said that there is still considerable need for clarity among agents on the following basic issues:

· The difference between the NQF Level 4 and the NQF Level 5 qualifications.
The former, he said, are for non-principals of estate agencies and the latter for principals.

· The date these qualifications become effective.
The anticipated date, he said, is 1st April 2008, but this has still to be finalised.

· The exact status of the qualifications - whether they will become compulsory for agents and principals or not.
It is, said Clarke, very definitely the government’s intention to make the qualifications obligatory for all employees of estate agencies because they see this as an important step in raising the level of professionalism throughout the industry.

· What steps are needed to qualify?
There are, said Clarke, two routes: a newcomer will have to complete a year’s learnership at an agency with ongoing in-house training and attend courses leading to qualifying for the FET (Further Education and Training) Certificate. Agents with the relevant experience behind them can become certificated through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process that takes account of their experience and achievements to date. The deadline for enrolling for this is the end of 2011.

· Which authorities are in control of the training process?
The South African Qualifications Authority that services SETA and the Estate Agency Affairs Board are now the bodies responsible. SAQA approve the unit standards, Services SETA oversees the education and training and the EAAB issues the certificates.

· Can an agent embark on his RPL certification right now?
The answer is yes, even though the regulations have not yet been promulgated, but in the case of the national certificate (for principals) the EAAB has recommended that they wait until the revision is completed. An existing principal does not have to obtain the NQF Level 4 certificate as well as the NQF Level 5 certificate, but a new entrant will be required to do so.

· What will happen to agents ignoring the December 2011 deadline or failing to qualify?
They will not be issued with a Fidelity Fund Certificate for 2012 and will therefore have to leave the industry. A new inspectorate will also be routing out any agents operating illegally, i.e. without certificates.

· What happens to the existing board examination?
The EAAB has said that this will fall away.

Clarke pointed out that the last day permitted for training enrolment is 28th November 2008 and all trainees enrolled by then have to be qualified by 28th November 2014.

In a previous statement, Clarke has said that he sees the more stringent requirements and the tougher conditions currently prevailing in the industry leading to the industry losing between 15,000 and 20,000 of those currently working as agents.