Encouraging the Next Generation of Building Surveyors

Driven by a global demographic crunch, the surveying profession faces an emerging challenge: attracting and developing the next generation of talent.

Recent proposals from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have highlighted the importance of giving young people earlier exposure to surveying careers, workplace experience and alternative routes into the profession. The aim is to help students build stronger connections with employers and gain a better understanding of opportunities within the built environment sector before making decisions about their future careers.

For building surveying practices, this presents an opportunity to help showcase the profession and support those considering a career in the industry.

Why early exposure matters

Many students have a limited understanding of what surveyors do on a day-to-day basis.

While careers such as architecture, engineering and construction management are often well known, building surveying can sometimes be overlooked despite the important role surveyors play in inspecting, maintaining and improving buildings.

Providing young people with opportunities to experience the profession first-hand can help bridge that knowledge gap. Spending time in a working practice allows students to see the variety of projects surveyors work on and gain a better understanding of the skills required within the industry.

Crucially, it can also help them make more informed decisions when considering further education and career pathways.

Learning beyond the classroom

Practical experience is often one of the most valuable ways to develop an understanding of a profession.

For this reason, at Easton Bevins, we offer work experience placements for school-aged students as an introduction to building surveying. Typically delivered over the course of a week, these placements provide an opportunity for students to spend time within the business, observe day-to-day activities and gain an insight into the role of a surveyor.

For many young people, this may be their first exposure to the property and construction sector.

Supporting the transition into the profession

Developing future surveyors does not stop at school-age work experience.

As students progress through higher education, workplace experience continues to play an important role in building technical knowledge and professional confidence. Applying academic learning within a practical environment allows students to develop a deeper understanding of surveying principles while gaining exposure to real projects and client requirements.

Easton Bevins has previously supported students studying on RICS-accredited courses through work placements alongside their studies, helping them gain practical experience while working towards their qualifications.

These opportunities allow aspiring surveyors to develop their skills in a professional setting while learning from experienced colleagues and gaining exposure to the diverse range of work undertaken within a surveying practice.

Building a stronger profession

The surveying sector relies on attracting capable individuals with a broad range of skills and perspectives.

Creating opportunities for students to engage with the profession at different stages of their education can help build a stronger talent pipeline while raising awareness of the important work surveyors undertake.

Work experience placements, graduate opportunities and industry engagement all have a role to play in supporting the future of the profession. By helping young people understand what surveying involves, employers can contribute to developing the next generation of built environment professionals.

Investing in future talent

There is no single route into building surveying, and that is one of the profession’s strengths.

Whether someone discovers surveying through school work experience, higher education or industry placements, practical exposure remains an important part of developing the skills and understanding needed to succeed.

As discussions continue around how the profession can attract more young people, creating opportunities to engage with surveying at an earlier stage is likely to become increasingly important.

At Easton Bevins, we are proud to support students and graduates looking to learn more about building surveying and gain practical experience within the industry. Providing those early opportunities can help inspire future careers while strengthening the profession for years to come.

We have several great journeys within Easton Bevins, Harvey Cross is now our associate director in the Manchester office who stated as a placement student.  Ben O’Brien and Richard Sherwood both started as graduates and are now both in the senior leadership team.

If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at our careers page to view the latest vacancies or to get in touch.