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Press Release - April 08

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Striking a Balance in the Property Profession

TIMES are gradually changing in the previously male-dominated field of surveying with more women pursuing careers in the industry and achieving RICS membership. However, they are still under-represented, and in certain cases under-paid, so there remains some way to go before the balance is redressed. But one South Yorkshire surveying company now has more female employees than men and is playing a positive part in dispelling the traditional image of the profession.

Figures released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors show that 15 per cent of its qualified members are women although levels are lower in the construction sector. Women are needed in the property profession more than ever and the demand has recently grown with 87,000 new construction workers required for the 2010 Olympic Games site. The RICS has been taking positive action to encourage recruitment and retention of female surveyors and set up the Raising the Ratio taskforce in 2000. Backed by various bodies including the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Department of Trade and Industry, it aims to ensure that UK employers are drawing staff from the widest possible pool of talent.

Philip Wilbourn, CEO of environmental surveying company Wilbourn Associates in Sheffield, appears to be bucking the trend as 56 per cent of his workforce is female. He believes that young talent has much to offer the industry and says gender is no longer the major barrier it was once perceived to be. “More and more women are entering the profession and embarking on dynamic careers throughout the world,” he commented. “Environmental surveying is a major growth area of the property profession but we realise that we have to do our bit as well. Wilbourn has Investor in People status and continually ensures that all members of staff have personal development plans that benefit the individual as well as the practice.”

Sarah-Jayne Lock, 24, is an environmental surveyor who joined Wilbourn almost two years ago after graduating with a degree in geography and planning. She was attracted to the industry through her keen interest in the built environment and sustainability issues and quite undeterred by the possible dominance of men.

“Women in this profession are in a minority but that is changing,” she said. “I think it’s partly to do with changing trends in society generally as so many women now have full-time jobs and careers but also because people are becoming much more environmentally aware. The chance to deal with issues like contaminated land and pollution appeal to both sexes,” she commented.

Sarah-Jayne recently went on a field visit to Shanghai as part of her MSc in Urban Regeneration which Wilbourn Associates is sponsoring at Sheffield Hallam University and is pleased with the experiences she’s had so far. “Some of the old traditional stereotypes still exist in the industry but I think attitudes are improving. I’ve certainly never encountered any prejudice and have exactly the same opportunities for career development as anyone else. I enjoy my job and would definitely recommend it to other women with an interest in this area,” she added.

Philip pointed out that staff retention was as important as recruitment and said his company aimed to be as flexible as possible. “That’s not to say we positively discriminate towards women, far from it. Selection is based not only on doing the job but also on looking to build a career and bringing new skills that blend into the team. It just so happens that a higher number of young female professionals meet that criterion,” he explained.

The company’s practice manager Kate Leggott, believes that more women are recognising the appeal of the industry and says graduate positions are just as likely to attract female candidates as male ones.

Kate, 41, joined the company three years ago and part of her role involves dealing with recruitment. “I would say there are equal numbers of men and women who apply for positions after university, although the top jobs still tend to be taken by men,” she commented. “I think women realise that there are plenty of courses available that are relevant to this career and that they have the same opportunities to develop and progress.

“Sheffield Hallam University runs a RICS accredited degree course and there are several relevant subjects to study such as geography, planning and environmental management so it covers quite a broad spectrum. Environmental surveying is probably a bit less daunting than traditional property or quantity surveying but I certainly don’t think women should be put off, she said.

“I think we are possibly an exception to the rule and are in a niche market in terms of being environmental rather than general surveyors but we certainly seem to retain employees of either sex,” added Kate.

For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.



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