Trainee Property Manager Review

My role involves me managing 2 retail parks on my own. I also assist with the management of a 70 tenant mixed use commercial building and deal with the tenant applications across an estate of 450 properties including alterations, assignments and sublettings. I also assist with the management of a huge business park in the south of the UK.

I have learnt a huge number of new skills and have developed many that needed work previously. I have improved my organisational skills which has allowed me to prioritise work as property management has the highest work demand in our office. I have also learnt how to build a rapport with clients and tenants across my sites. My eye for detail has also improved significantly when it comes to report writing and communications with people outside my company.

I really enjoy being able to complete my degree online. One of the decisions not to go straight to university after 6th form was due to the difficulty in moving away as I have a number of commitments at home. The programme allows me to continue living my normal life as well as making money whilst I do so. The only issue I have found with the programme is the ability to manage the workload. As there is such a high workload in property management, balancing university, work and home commitments sometimes gets very stressful, especially around exam season or times when assignments are due.

The university programme is extremely well structured and organised. I have thoroughly enjoyed following the weekly training and have felt that all the material has been well structured and very insightful. All webinars have gone ahead when planned, even in the current uncertain circumstances that we are experiencing. Very happy with UCEMs organisation.

From Savills as a whole we do receive a fair amount of support and are checked up on regularly. I have had issues where I have raised concerns and they take a fair amount of time to address. My manager doesn't provide me with much support for the degree however the current modules are not what my manager specialises in and I am confident that when I get onto the property management module that he will provide much more support. I do not currently have an apprenticeship mentor however I have an APC mentor. I have not yet sat with my mentor. I find it tricky for my team to understand that I must take a study day once a week and for that day I can't keep being asked to do work. I am there to support if absolutely necessary but I find that I don't very often get a full study day.

UCEM have managed to answer almost all questions I have asked during the course of the modules. My apprenticeship advisor has recently changed and he is very keen to help wherever possible. Previously, I have asked questions and they have not been able to answer so hopefully this has improved now. I really enjoy the UCEM course.

The modules to date have not helped me a huge amount in my day to day role as they have been more specified on different areas of surveying however I would assume that this will change significantly in the next year as I do valuation and property management. The law modules were fairly insightful and did assist with lease reading and the other modules have helped give me an oversight of what other departments do and now I know where queries should be referred to if they are beyong my remit.

We have a number of activities that we can get involved in at work. We have our Savills network committee who aim to set up a number of networking events with key clients and local organisations. I have also got involved with our charity/ CSR committee to help support local charities and make a positive impact on the community.

Yes

I would recommend Savills as they do tend to have a good support network and a huge number of employees with vast experience within the industry however I would probably not recommend property management for an apprentice as it is too much work to keep up with alongside the university work.

Have a basic understanding of excel before applying. Ensure that your employer is aware that you must take 1 day study leave a week. Take your days study leave as you can fall behind quite quickly. Always ask UCEM if you have any queries. There is a huge support network of other apprentices that will be having the exact same issues that you are. Join the whatsapp groups and talk to them.