Graham + Sibbald are delighted to announce the recent success of their Commercial Agent, Joe Helps, who has been awarded a First Class Honours degree from the University College of Estate Management (UCEM).
Having joined Graham + Sibbald in 2016, Joe and was enrolled on to the fast-track BSc Real Estate Management degree which takes place over three years as opposed to the traditional four.
The UCEM degree course is online based which allows for students to better balance work and study. Joe was able to work full time and put in to practice the modules that he was studying in real-life scenarios, ask questions to Senior colleagues and better understand his daily workload. This method of on-the-job learning enables students to obtain skills that cannot be learned in a classroom environment.
Joe commented: “I’d always been interested in property but didn’t think that I would be able to pursue a career in Surveying since I hadn’t gone straight to University when I left school. Having been working in the motor industry for five years, I decided to make a change and applied to Graham + Sibbald as a Student Surveyor within the Commercial department. Everyone in the Edinburgh team has been supportive and encouraging throughout my time with them, answering any questions I had and guiding me in my studies. I’m looking forward to the next stage of my career with Graham + Sibbald.”
In 2018, Graham + Sibbald took on their first Graduate Apprentice, Eve Mitchell, following the introduction of their GA Programme, which offers an alternative route towards a career in Surveying. Working in Partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, Graham + Sibbald now have a total complement of four student surveyors enrolled on to the four-year Graduate Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment course. The course consists of set block release periods three times per annum.
Rhona Smith, Employer Liaison and Student Recruitment Manager at Napier, said: “Graduate Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for employees to gain practical experience and academic knowledge, whilst gaining an internationally recognised qualification through combining work-based learning and university attendance. We look forward to our continued partnership with Graham + Sibbald.”
Next steps for Joe will be for him to continue his studies towards obtaining his APC which will allow him to become a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor. Graham + Sibbald have a number of RICS trained APC Assessors in-house who are able to support and guide all APC candidates within the Firm.
Graham + Sibbald are committed to the recruitment, support, development and retention of young people within the business. They have been recognised for their efforts and received a Silver Investors in Young People (IIYP) accreditation in late 2018.
For more information on Graham + Sibbald’s GA Programme, please visit their website – www.g-s.co.uk
