Attracting Talent!
As many of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects get given the green light, Dalcour Maclaren Director, Andrew Barker, shares part of the strategy for attracting top talent into surveying.
Whilst there are uncertain times ahead following the UK’s decision to remove itself from the EU, one thing is for certain: the Government and in particular Philip Hammond are committing to increasing investment into infrastructure projects which include (to name a few):
- HS2
- An extra runway in the south-east
- New nuclear power stations and associated connections
- Smart motorways
- Renewables & Fracking
Dalcour Maclaren is already deeply involved in some of these projects over and above the ongoing requirement to improve and maintain our utilities, implement new flood protection schemes and advise on the ever changing property management needs of our clients.
Consequently, over the course of the next few years, this surge of utility and infrastructure development activity is likely to put pressure on our national supply of surveyors in the industry.
So what are we doing to attract new talent to the industry and to Dalcour Maclaren? Here are some examples that have already proved successful:
- University Lectures - Each year, we have the opportunity to present to graduates and postgraduates at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester and Harper Adams University, Newport. For the last 5 years Andrew Barker has delivered 2 hour lectures on CPO and Compensation and has talked through our typical projects.
- Careers Fairs – We attend all careers fairs at the likes of Harper Adams, RAU Cirencester and Reading.
- Sponsored Coursework – Each year we sponsor and set a piece of coursework relating to utilities and infrastructure. We will attend the universities to advise on the coursework but will then invite the students to visit one of our live projects on site
- Rural Charter – We are a member of the new Rural Charter helping to deliver benefits to the next generation of surveyors and their employers. This very practical initiative will help to bring clarity and fairness to graduates as they take their first steps in the surveying world.
- Relationships – We have developed relationships with many universities and colleges (not just the mainstream names) to support and advise on modules and new legislation. We offer Continued Professional Development (CPD) and training to our clients in conjunction with local agricultural colleges too.
- Wider Skills – We seek to recruit those with a variety of skills, experience and background. We are not simply focussed on rural surveyors, but routinely recruit those who are not RICS accredited but have an interest in land based subjects – for example in areas such as commercial surveying, agriculture, planning, buildings and geomatics.
- Bespoke Training Programme – We have developed a training programme aimed at all levels of our staff; both unqualified and qualified. We promote career and personal development through our internal training team, but also personal development trainers, our ‘buddy system’, and APC / ATC programme.
- Placement Students & Work Experience – We offer opportunities to join us for work experience to obtain a flavour of what we do but also offer 12-month placement positions to students as part of their university course.
- APC Assessors – We have a team of APC assessors who sit on the RICS Assessment panels twice a year in order to ensure we are up to date with the requirements of the RICS and can appropriately advise our own candidates during the APC process.
If you are interested in learning more about our industry or about potential opportunities within Dalcour Maclaren, please contact either Andrew Barker or Nicola Putt on 01869 352 721 or email nicola.putt@dalcourmaclaren.com.
To see Dalcour Maclaren’s current roles click here.