It's now common knowledge that the Services Seta and the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) have spearheaded the professionalisation of the real estate industry by initiating compulsory qualifications for estate agents and their principals (directors of a company, members of a CC, partners in a partnership and sole proprietors). 

The process of implementing qualifications is well under way and all existing estate agents and principals will need to go through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by 31 December 2011, and complete their qualification by 31 December 2013. The agents’ qualification is called the FET Certificate: Real Estate and is on Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), while the qualification for principals is the National Certificate: Real Estate which is on Level 5 of the NQF.

In addition, for those wanting to set themselves apart in the marketplace, a new NQF level 7 designation, ‘Chartered Practitioner in Real Estate’ (CPRE), has recently been introduced whereby candidates are required to complete a Portfolio of Evidence against certain prescribed competencies. The designation will initially be awarded through successful completion of this particular RPL process and thereafter, on completion of the CPRE qualification after obtaining the NQF 4, 5 and 6 qualifications. This route to achieve the professional designation will represent the highest form of professional recognition available at present in South Africa for real estate practitioners. Once the qualification becomes available it will also serve to enhance the credibility and credentials of professionals striving to achieve a high level of excellence and recognition - thereby potentially gaining a competitive edge in the market.

There are currently a small number of real estate practitioners in South Africa who have been selected on a national basis to pilot this innovation.  An important criterion for selection was that they must have been part of the real estate industry for at least 7-10 years and proven themselves as industry leaders in a number of ways. 

By providing substantiating evidence they must be able to prove that they have made a contribution toward a number of the following activities:

• influencing trends concerning real estate through constructive involvement in the Southern African economy;

• lobbied for change within the real estate industry;

• invested in the growth of a community through the implementation of a community-based project;

• developed strategies that influence the vision for real estate in South Africa;

• gained formal industry recognition as a role model to real estate professionals and/or practitioners, and

• contributed to the development of practitioners and/or professionals in the real estate industry.

While clearly this is no mean feat, it is an excellent way in which the true professionals who are making a difference in the industry can be identified and recognised. This designation will set an advanced professional standard for every individual pursuing a career in real estate.

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For further information IEASA members are welcome to contact IEASA National or their regional office.

IEASA National 021 531 2074, email info@ieasa.org.za or visit www.ieasa.org.za for regional contacts.

Should you wish to become a member please contact the regional office in your area for information on benefits and fees.

For NQF 7 enquiries please contact SSETA directly: Tel: +27 11 276 9600 www.serviceseta.org.za

For accredited RPL centres please view the EAAB's website