Commercial property professionals are involved in the development, management, letting and sale of offices, retail premises, leisure facilities and industrial buildings. The industry manages around £717 billion worth of property in the UK, making it a key sector for the economy and investors.
Employers involved in the industry include property developers, construction firms, property management companies, estate agents, lettings agents, auction houses and consultancies. They require a range of staff with specialist skills and most people who work in the sector have a high level of qualifications.
The standard route into employment in commercial property is as a graduate trainee, having obtained a degree in surveying, construction or civil engineering. Staff then need to study towards industry-recognised qualifications and accreditations, such as the National Federation of Property Professionals' level 4 certificate in commercial property agency or membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Once qualified, staff can choose to specialise in development projects or property management in a vertical market, such as offices, retail or industrial. Salaries for junior roles start at around £20,000, while senior professionals can earn in excess of £50,000 a year. Demand for experienced staff is strong and many employers use specialist property recruitment agencies to find people with the right skills.
The alternative career path within the commercial property industry is to become an estate agent, valuer or auctioneer. Earnings are directly linked to performance and can be as high as £50,000 a year or more in London.
