Those who attended the presentation by FNB and the Property Professional magazine to Bill Rawson of a Lifetime Achievement Award (and were impressed by his statement that success depends almost entirely on an ability to create good teamwork) were surprised to hear him also say that transformation in the property marketing sector had become more difficult than ever before.
The reason for this, said Rawson, is that the very high educational standards now deemed necessary for both estate agents and their principals have created yet another barrier to entry.
'It has,' he said, 'been pointed out to me that my group and I pushed hardt for compulsory qualification standards. However, the EAAB and Services SETA have now taken these standards to the point where they are expensive and extremely difficult for many previously disadvantaged persons to obtain'
The new educational qualifications, added Rawson, are also deterring young white people from entering the estate agency world.
In 2006, said Rawson, 96 000 estate agents had been registered with the EAAB. The figure is now 33 000.
'This far smaller group could, when times improve (as they inevitably will), be seen as an elite monopoly which has taken control of the entire residential market. That will be bad for property '“ strong competition is needed in all sectors'
Asked what he proposes as a solution to the transformation impasse, Rawson said that it may be necessary to offer PD applicants free tuition in their rookie year and to give them more time to qualify '“ say, three or four years.
'The higher qualifications have undoubtedly raised the standards of SAs agents, but we must not lose sight of the need for transformation and for avoiding the creation of cartel conditions'
For further information contact Bill Rawson on 021 658 7100 or email bill@rawsonproperties.com
