Principals have been told to take more responsibility for training standards by ensuring staff receive regular in-house and external coaching.
LJ Hooker Cessnock and Kurri Kurri principal Bryce Gibson said industry standards will improve if business owners play a greater role in their staff’s development.
Mr Gibson told RPM that it’s up to principals and property managers to take a more proactive approach to learning and training.
“I think it has to be put on to the business owners and the individual property managers – if their mindset is that it’s non-negotiable, then I think you’ll produce good outcomes,” he said.
Mr Gibson said his regional NSW office conducts training sessions every single week.
“Say there are 40 work weeks in a year – at half an hour per week, that’s 20 hours a year that you’ll spend training,” he said.
BDM Academy trainer Kasey McDonald said principals should consider a training calendar for each year, research and discuss potential areas of training with the team and work out a yearly development plan.
Ms McDonald told RPM that standards would improve if more people attended regular training and development that is specific to the property management industry.
“There needs to be more on-the-job training done as a part of the certificate and course process, so property managers can have a far better understanding before taking on the role,” she said.
The introduction of continuing professional development points has been a positive step for raising the industry’s standards in education and training, according to Ms McDonald.
“Whether they have one year or 20 years’ experience, property managers should be attending frequent training, and this should be enforced within offices’ policies and procedures manual,” she said.