London-based estate agency JOHNS&CO has launched The JOHNS&CO Academy, offering a number of apprenticeships to encourage the next generation into the property industry.

The company has offered eight young people the chance to train on a number of courses from Junior Estate Agent, Business Development and Property Administration to Recruitment and Property Management, as well as graduate with the industry-recognised Arla qualification, awarded by PropertyMark. As a dynamic and fast-growing agency, JOHNS&CO recognise talent early and invest in young people as a foundation of the company’s growth with two managers in high-achieving locations already under the age of 25.

Roles which the estate agent giant has recruited via the apprenticeship scheme are Lettings Administrator, Property Manager, Lettings Negotiator, Sales Negotiator, Recruitment Resourcer, Property Consultant and Credit Controller. With the courses ranging from 12 to 15 months, the apprentices will hopefully be offered permanent positions to continue their career in real estate.

In the three months to January 2023, the youth unemployment rate in London for those aged between 16 and 24 stood at 15 percent, compared with the UK average of 10.8 percent. Apprenticeship and kickstart schemes like JOHNS&CO’s are helping young people in London find not just employment but a career they can thrive and progress in.

Georgina Barraclough, HR & Talent Director at JOHNS&CO, said: “Young people are faced with so many barriers when trying to find employment. We have seen with those on the Kickstart Scheme, that no matter how limited your career experience is, anyone can achieve success with the right training and mentors who are invested in them.”

Roles which the lettings and estate agent has recruited via the apprenticeship scheme are Lettings Administrator, Property Manager, Lettings Negotiator, Sales Negotiator, Recruitment Resourcer, Property Consultant and Credit Controller. With the courses ranging from 12 to 15 months, the aim is for apprentices to be offered permanent positions to continue their career in real estate.

Georgina continued: “We have successfully trained 16 young people from the government Kickstart scheme in total, all of whom have remained in the business as permanent and very successful staff members. We want to continue this trend of success and invest in young people through the launch of JOHNS&CO The Academy.”

Apprentices will get the chance to shadow senior staff members, attend workshops and training with industry leading expert Richard Davis as well as engage in competitions with fellow apprentices.

JOHNS&CO is celebrating 10 years of the business operating in the capital this year having started out specialising in London’s New Homes market, but since expanded to a range of services to those looking to buy, let, rent, sell or invest in the London property market.

Toufique Miah, Sales Negotiator at JOHNS&CO said: “Before I joined JOHNS&CO, I had struggled to find work after leaving college at 18, which is such a common problem for young people nowadays. When I joined the Kickstart scheme, I didn’t have any experience in the property industry but with exceptional training that equipped me with both skills and knowledge, I’ve progressed quickly to a Sales Negotiator in one of JOHNS&CO’s highest performing offices.

“By next year I aim to be a senior Sales Negotiator and I feel confident that JOHNS&CO will help me to achieve this. There’s a misconception that dropping out of college will hold you back, but it isn’t for everyone and if you have determination, self-motivation and a mentor who believes in you – you can make anything happen”

JOHNS&CO’s growing success has allowed the company to expand into Asia and now services clients across London, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore with now more than £1.3 billion worth of residential assets under management.