London-based estate agency JOHNS&CO has launched a new academy, offering a number of apprenticeships to encourage the next generation into the property industry.

The company has offered eight young people the chance to train on a number of courses from junior estate agent, business development and property administration to recruitment and property management, as well as graduate with the industry-recognised ARLA qualification, awarded by Propertymark.

JOHNS&CO says it recognises talent early and invest in young people as a foundation of the company’s growth with two managers in high-achieving locations already under the age of 25.

Roles which the estate agency has recruited via the apprenticeship scheme are lettings administrator, property manager, lettings negotiator, sales negotiator, recruitment resource, property consultant and credit controller. With the courses ranging from 12 to 15 months, the apprentices will hopefully be offered permanent positions to continue their career in real estate.

Georgina Barraclough, HR and talent director at JOHNS&CO, said: “Young people are faced with so many barriers when trying to find employment. We have seen with those on the Kickstart Scheme, that no matter how limited your career experience is, anyone can achieve success with the right training and mentors who are invested in them.”

“We have successfully trained 16 young people from the government Kickstart scheme in total, all of whom have remained in the business as permanent and very successful staff members. We want to continue this trend of success and invest in young people through the launch of JOHNS&CO The Academy.”

Apprentices will get the chance to shadow senior staff members, attend workshops and training with industry leading expert Richard Davis as well as engage in competitions with fellow apprentices.