The UK’s leading independent property management agent, Rendall & Rittner, is committed to supporting those wishing to venture into a career in the property sector. Its Graduate Development Programme has been running for 4 years and provides recent university leavers with the opportunity to kick start their career whilst learning about the industry and gaining new skills. Two of the company’s current graduates Scott Gallacher and Katie Griffiths explain why they chose the scheme and where they see themselves in the next five years.
Richard Daver, Managing Director at Rendall and Rittner comments: “We recognise that personal improvement is essential for an individual to fulfil their potential. Our Graduate Development Programme spans two years and combines formal and on-the-job learning across a number of placements, to ensure a solid foundation based on the company processes and behaviours, in order to support a successful long-term career. We have been proud to be a part of every graduates journey into property management.”
Scott joined Rendall & Rittner in 2018 after successfully completing a degree in Business Management at The Manchester Metropolitan University. Speaking of why he chose a graduate scheme Scott explains: “After completing my degree, I knew that a graduate scheme would be a great opportunity as it allows me the chance to progress through a company whilst completing training and learning on the job. Rendall & Rittner in particular stood out to me as it was obvious during the interview process that they cared about every individual employee and progressing them through the business.”
Katie, a graduate of Psychology at the University of Warwick continues: “I saw the job application on LinkedIn and liked the idea of having sites to manage and how broad the job role is. The Rendall & Rittner Graduate Development Programme provides me with the opportunity to manage budgets and conduct site visits, whilst still obtaining an industry qualification, I definitely feel well equipped to begin my career within the sector.”
The programme works on a rotation system helping to ensure that graduates are fully immersed within the day to day running and understand the different aspects of the business. Katie explains: “The rotation system has been great, in particular the legal rotation was really interesting. I got to understand how leases work within leasehold property as well as the process of buying and selling and how that affects property managers, this is something that I wouldn’t have understood had I not embarked on the Graduate Programme.”
“No day is the same” explains Scott. “I am able to split my time between being on site and in the office, this helps to make sure that my knowledge of the company and the industry is as well rounded as possible. I really enjoy the credit control aspect of my role as well as meeting residents, clients and site staff. I would definitely recommend graduates have a look at all of the options open to them when they graduate.”
Formal training is held at Rendall & Rittner’s head office in London so Katie and Scott often travel to the Capital to take part in the training which will help them achieve an IRPM qualification. “Katie and I are based in Manchester, however we have a really strong relationship with the other graduates in the programme. We have a team WhatsApp group and regularly help each other with revision etc.” explains Scott.
“Although I am based in Manchester, I definitely feel part of the graduate team. All of the staff in the Manchester office have been really supportive, both colleagues and mentors have been there whenever I have a question and having the support network in our graduate WhatsApp group has also been beneficial” continues Katie.
Katie hopes to be a qualified property manager on completion of the programme and continue her career within the sector. She explains “I am really looking forward to completing this programme and building my career within the sector, hopefully managing my own buildings and eventually my own team. I would highly recommend this programme to other graduates, it has been really enjoyable.”
Scott concludes: “The graduate programme has been really rewarding. Once I have completed the scheme I hope to continue my career with Rendall & Rittner, managing my own properties and working my way up throughout the business.”
Each year Rendall & Rittner recruit eight graduates at the following offices:
Applications for the Rendall & Rittner Graduate Programme open online on 1st November 2020 and close on 31st December, assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will take place in February 2021 with successful applicants beginning in September 2021.
For further information on Rendall & Rittner’s Graduate Programme please visit here
