23 Jun SAIV encourages aspirant valuers to enrol in Mentorship programme
23 June 2023. The South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV) has announced that applications for enrolment are open for their 2023 Mentorship Programme and will close on 30 June 2023. The mentorship programme, now in its fourth year, aims to match young valuers with accredited professionals and open new personal and professional development pathways.
The property valuation profession is vital to determining open market value and helping consumers and businesses alike to navigate increasingly complex property trends. However, in recent years, the SAIV has been concerned by the aging profession which seems to retain few young people. “The profession needs proactive development initiatives which appeal to our young South Africans,” comments Lerato Pooe, SAIV General Manager.
SAIV is an organization dedicated to safeguarding the interests of property valuers and promoting the local property valuation profession. Recognizing the importance of mentorship, the SAIV has identified mentorship as a vital aspect of supporting and nurturing young professionals in the field.
The purpose of the mentorship program is to provide guidance, support, and knowledge transfer from experienced professionals to aspiring valuers. By pairing seasoned valuers with new graduates, the program aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge gained in academic settings and practical skills required in the field. Mentors offer their expertise, share insights, and provide valuable advice to help mentees navigate the complexities of the valuation profession. The program was created to address the challenges faced by valuation graduates in finding suitable mentors within the valuation profession. These mentors are necessary for fulfilling the prerequisite of having a mentor to register as a Candidate Valuer with the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP). This requirement serves as a significant milestone in establishing a career in the valuation profession.
Applications for the programme often exceed capacity. Applicants need to be members of the SAIV. The programme is run by SAIV Branch Executives who provide mentorship on a voluntary basis and are registered with the SACPVP. The programme comprises regular workshops which are held with a focus on theoretical and practical content. Mentees produce reports that are assessed and signed off by the mentors once a required standard of proficiency has been met. “We believe this can be a career-changing benefit for the mentees that can significantly improve their skills and knowledge base. Mentees in the valuation profession can gain proven experience through mentorship that greatly assists them in preparing for the SACPVP Board Exam and qualifying as professionals. Additionally, mentorship provides excellent networking opportunities that can benefit mentees throughout their careers,” explains Pooe.
Over and above that, the valuation industry and its clients will benefit from the input of an enlarged, trained body of professionals. “The success of the mentorship program in the valuation profession largely relies on the selfless individuals who serve as mentors. These mentors play a critical role in advancing the profession and shaping the careers of mentees. Their commitment, expertise, and dedication contribute significantly to the program’s effectiveness and the mentees’ overall development. A concerted effort needs to be made by all industry bodies to ensure that mentees are retained in the profession by having sufficient employment for them,” Pooe concludes.
The SAIV has partnered with information and market intelligence provider Lightstone, who are providing unemployed mentees with free access to their platform. Through these kinds of collaborations, mentees are exposed to different tools that they will need as they develop their careers within the profession, and this kind of exposure is but one of the many stepping stones taken to prepare them for workspace.
Interested mentees can apply for the programme online, by visiting: https://saiv.org.za/education/mentorship-programme/
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Lerato Pooe – General Manager
lerato@saiv.org.za or (+27)81 405 8402
About the SAIV
The South African Institute of Valuers (SAIV), founded in 1909, is the national society of professional real estate valuers. The Institute is dedicated to serving, advancing, and protecting the valuation profession and looking after the interests of members by advancing high ethical standards for members of the valuation profession, in the best interests of the public.