Children may soon be learning 'real estate' in high school, in a move to encourage real estate as a career and create a "more committed, less transient workforce".
The Real Estate Institute and industry training organisation, Real ITO, are working on level two and three real estate qualifications for secondary school students, with the hope they will be available from late next year, the NZ Herald reports.
The unit standards would be taught to create an interest for students but would not mean they became licensed agents
"From there they may have an interest in property and choose to go on to do a property degree at university or go into working in property management or an administration position and then carry into a level 4 qualification later on. It's creating a career path," Real ITO spokeswoman Victoria McArthur said.
Real ITO chief executive Lesley Southwick says more than 17,000 people are licensed to work in real estate offices around the country.
"But virtually all of these people entered as adults from a previous job," she said.
"Our intention is to make sure a career in real estate can be viewed in the same way as a career in finance or any other specialist skills career."
There was also a high turnover of employees each year.
"Offering very early qualifications, and opportunities to advance these studies, will encourage more people into long-term careers and create a more committed, less transient workforce."
Barfoot and Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said although it could be an opportunity for some, he had some warnings for young people looking to enter the profession.
"Not every young person that gets in is going to be a successful salesperson because they may not have even experienced the purchasing or selling of a property themselves.
"But then some of the younger people are more dedicated, hard workers and it's a good opportunity to make some income."
"Times are tough at the moment. The average income is a lot less than a lot of people think and to even get that income you have got to be working 24 hours, seven days a week.
"If they are thinking they are going to get in and make a lot of money easily, that's the wrong reason."
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