The Property Education Foundation (PEF) will increase efforts to attract tertiary students to the industry by better and more timely promotion and closer ties with tertiary institutions.
The PEF was established in 1990 to fund closer ties between industry and students, and currently funds a chair at Curtin University, provides scholarships for students and engages in school programs.
Most students of property have lined-up full-time employment by their second or third year at university, and the industry can easily absorb graduates.
PEF executive officer Frank Bowyer said the foundation would be increasing its efforts to facilitate communication between industry and students.
“Students make the choice to do property at the end of their first year, and there is a gap at the moment in terms of the way industry is promoted to them,” he said.
“We think we can attract more students and different kinds of students. Our objectives are to promote and support learning, study and research in the teaching and practice of the property related disciplines.”
Mr Bowyer said the PEF was in the early stages of arranging an internship program for students to provide exposure to the industry and promote a career path in property.
“We are the link between academics and what employers want,” he said.
Currently only Curtin University offers a property degree, although UWA has talked about possibly introducing a property program, according to Mr Bowyer.
An annual regatta is held as part of PEF’s industry promotion, and 400 industry representatives took part in a regatta on the Swan River last week.
Students were placed on yachts and encouraged to interact with industry leaders in a social environment.
PEF is sponsored by industry and has representatives from all the industry representative groups, including the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, Urban Development Institute of Australia, Property Council, Australian Property Institute, and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.