Many estate agents are reassessing what they want from their job, with many demonstrating that they wish for more than just pay, but are also seeking a rewarding, flexible experience and the opportunity to progress and develop their skills. That is according to The Able Agent.

The online training and qualifications provider points to research showing that 48% of millennial employees said they would quit a job due to a lack of learning and development opportunities.

Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell, founder and director of The Able Agent, said: “We may see smaller agencies and new start-ups being ahead of the curve in this area, but across the board there will be a cultural shift and a desire to get people qualified or offer them opportunities for structured development.  

“There is an existing skills shortage in the industry, and this will certainly continue into 2022.  With many vacant roles, but not enough people to fill them, we need to find strategies to counter this problem, whilst ensuring we are implementing succession planning to protect ourselves in the future. Agencies who want to thrive must also ensure strong foundations for new starters.“

Jeffrey-Campbell believes that e-learning within the workplace will soon become mainstream, forming the base of training and a foundation of professionalism and excellent service within agencies.

She added: “Traditional ways of learning, such as in-person training, workshops or events can become selective and specialised. Blended training approaches can be incorporated into agencies, with agents selecting the external courses they feel will benefit them most.

“Clients are expecting more information from the outset of their communications with agents. Even before viewings they want to know all they can about the property and what to expect during the home buying, lettings or sales process.

“With accurate, accessible data now widespread, agents who cannot inform their clients, or provide them with accurate legal information, property knowledge and data will be left behind. Experienced, well-qualified agents will be in high demand as customers look for experts to guide them and to furnish them with data and advice.

She also points out that agent salaries are amongst the lowest in the sales profession, which is not helped by some agencies adopting a low-fee approach to try to get stock.

She continued: “The key point here is that agents are not only salespeople, but if the perception internally and externally remains that they are, then there will not be progress in terms of fair pay, or quality service.

“Where agents can demonstrate their worth as trustworthy, qualified advisors, fee rises and recommendations will prove to be the most long-term strategy for a successful business.

“We need to make 2022 the year of developing foundations for quality property careers, creating strategies within agencies to tackle the challenges the industry is facing and cement a new way of working.

“When agents are information-empowered they will be confident saying no or dealing with difficult situations – everything from handling tricky customers, to legal matters, to confidently charging the fees they deserve.”