The appetite for qualifications in the property sector is at a five-year high, says Propertymark Qualifications, the UK’s specialist awarding organisation offering industry recognised qualifications.

Almost 7,000 people have registered for its qualifications so far in the current academic year.

A fifth of those are 16 to 24-year-olds — double that of five years ago — and the highest number of registrations is among 26 to 36-year-olds.

A Level 4 qualification was introduced in 2018, primarily aimed at those currently in, or considering, the role of Principals, Partners and Directors in sales and or lettings agencies. Registrations rose by 26% last year to more than double the number of participants in the first year it was available.

Propertymark Qualifications is an approved End-Point Assessment (EPA) organisation for the Junior Estate Agent Apprenticeship.

The number of assessments carried out has trebled over the past two years and new registrations for end-of-course assessments were five times more than in 2021 compared to the previous year, indicating a growing interest in that route into the profession.

Propertymark Qualifications is recognised by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual), Qualifications Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Assessment and Examinations (CCEA Regulation), and offers credit and level rated qualifications in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

Michael Smith, Head of Propertymark Qualifications, said:

“There is currently no UK-wide requirement for property agents to hold a recognised qualification, so to see a sustained demand demonstrates a real appetite among those entering and progressing in the profession to get qualified and to be fully accredited.

“Since the start of the pandemic over 2,500 people have gained their full qualifications. This underlines the determination to succeed, professionalise and qualify even in challenging circumstances.

“We’re particularly pleased to see a continued rise in registrations for qualifications from those at the beginning of their career as a property agent.

“We hope to be able to harness this growing interest to create a healthy pipeline of staff going forward.”