Students from The Priory Ruskin Academy and Lincoln College were invited to take part in a five-session programme to develop their knowledge, skills and experience of the role of a surveyor.
The programme, designed in collaboration between the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Savills, looked at property evaluation, rentals and particulars and even allowed the students to take part in a mock viewing to sell a prestigious property in Minster Yard in Lincoln.
Richard Milburn, an Associate at Savills, developed and ran the course with support from Alex Nightingale, Enterprise Coordinator and Operational Hub Lead at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Career Hub.
Savills wanted to give students the opportunity to build a relationship with the company as well as provide insight into the surveying profession.
The final session supported the students with CV development and interview skills, providing them with the skills to succeed if they look for a surveying job in the future. The students will also keep in touch with Richard and the team at Savills, and future employment is a possibility if job opportunities arise.
Richard Milburn said: “I think the surveying profession offers a fantastic lifelong career. I often find that young people do not know enough about what being a surveyor is and therefore don’t consider it as a career option. This limits diversity in the industry as people only consider being a surveyor if they have family in the industry.
“I am keen to show that surveying can offer a varied career which is both challenging and rewarding, to everyone, no matter what background they come from.
“I’m passionate about making young people aware of the opportunities becoming a surveyor can offer. This is why I developed a five-session programme on the basics of surveying including some on-site experience, to hopefully give the students a taste of what a day in the life of a surveyor is like.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the students and was encouraged by how engaged they were and the initiative they showed. Hopefully, we may have some chartered surveyors in the making!”
Adam Flint, a student at Lincoln College, said: “I think the programme has been a success. It has given us good knowledge and understanding of many key factors within different departments at Savills. Richard has been very helpful, and I believe that sessions have been useful.”
Toby Fraser-Dale, a student at The Priory Ruskin Academy, said: “The programme has given me a further understanding of the surveying profession and has been a valuable contribution to determining my future education.
“I have learnt a lot about different aspects of property, including types of property damage to look for and how to market a range of properties. I enjoyed viewing the house to let near Lincoln Cathedral and Richard has been very knowledgeable about many aspects of surveying.”
Thanks to its success the programme is expected to run again next year.
