A new surveying diploma is to be launched on Wednesday by the SAVA School of Surveying, in a bid to overcome the skills shortage in the profession.

SAVA’s new diploma in residential surveying and valuation is supported by the RICS, whose global director of valuation Ben Elder will be attending the launch event.

SAVA’s diploma provides the only vocational route into the residential surveying profession for those without a relevant undergraduate degree.

With a blend of face-to-face and online learning, the school opens the door to RICS membership at associate level without the need to commit to full-time study.

Holders of the new diploma will be able to produce RICS Home Condition Surveys, as well as SAVA’s own Home Condition Surveys.

A spokesperson for SAVA told EYE: “We are working with RICS to find new ways of unlocking surveying talent, and this is how the SAVA School of Surveying came about.

“Over 50% of RICS members are now over 50 years old.

“The industry faces a skills shortage and the number of new surveyors entering the profession isn’t forecast to cover this, so the SAVA School of Surveying has created the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation to offer the opportunity to those who, for whatever reason, did not or are unable to commit to a full-time degree course.

“The requirements to pass the course are not weaker than RICS.

“It is also important to stress that the diploma awards graduates with AssocRICS membership – further experience within RICS is required to progress to MRICS status.

“But this is a first step towards Chartered status for those who wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity.”

SAVA itself launched in the 1990s and in 2000 was given the contract as lead developer for Home Condition Reports, which at that time was the central element of Home Information Packs.