Graham + Sibbald are delighted to announce the recent success of their Residential Surveyor, Blair MacLennan, who has been awarded a First Class Honours degree from University College of Estate Management (UCEM) in Real Estate Management.
Formerly a Professional Footballer for Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, Blair moved to Aberdeen and found his passion for property which led him to join Graham + Sibbald’s Aberdeen office part-time in 2017. From June 2018, Blair was welcomed as a full-time staff member and has been working alongside senior and professional team members within the offices residential department since.
The UCEM degree course is online based which allows for students to better balance work and study. Blair 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.
Blair commented: “I’m delighted to have graduated and to be taking this next step in my career with Graham + Sibbald. Having worked with the team for a number of years, I find myself in a very fortunate position where I am able to hit the ground running with the knowledge and working experience I’ve already gained across the business. I am looking forward to continuing my APC training which will allow me to become a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor. I cannot thank my colleagues enough for all of their help and support over the last few years.”
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 number student surveyors enrolled on to the four-year Graduate Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment course which consists of set block release periods three times per annum.
Graham + Sibbald Residential Partner, Darroch Robertson, commented “Blair has been an excellent addition to our team and we’re delighted for him to have graduated with a 1st. His hardworking nature and dedication have paid off and I look forward to seeing him progress with greater responsibility in his daily workload.”
Next steps for Blair 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 business.
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 career opportunities, please visit their website – www.g-s.co.uk/careers
