The NSW planning department has launched the second round of its graduate program, which provides opportunities for new graduates to start their careers in property valuation, writes Valuation NSW CEO Stewart McLachlan.
As one of the largest employers of valuers in NSW and across Australia, our aim is to not only nurture and retain talent, but attract new talent and provide opportunities for graduates thinking about a career in the valuation industry. By investing in programs like these we provide entry level opportunities, which seem few and far between in the industry at present.
The impetus behind our graduate program stems from a critical need within the valuation industry. Over the last decade, the industry has faced a shortage of valuers, with many having moved on or retired.
To address this gap, it’s imperative to invest in training and developing new valuers who can handle the complex valuation work for the state. Our 24-month program is designed for this purpose, offering graduates with up to six work rotations within different teams, providing them with a broad spectrum of training and learning experiences across all core areas of valuation.
Throughout the program, graduates will hone their analytical, research and problem-solving skills as they value almost 2.7 million parcels of land in NSW. They’ll benefit from the guidance and support of expert valuers in their given fields – arguably industry leaders – as they learn valuation methodologies and market trends. In addition to this, they’ll receive training in customer service and communication skills, vital for interacting with the public. This training equips them to pursue diverse career paths within the public sector and within the wider valuation industry.
The success stories of our first cohort of graduates serve as a testament to the transformative power of recognising potential and providing growth opportunities.
Many of our graduates have transitioned to full-time ongoing roles with Valuation NSW.
Sally Dale, who broke new ground as NSW’s first female Valuer General, started her career as a graduate three decades ago, and understands the profound impact of foundational knowledge acquired during this formative period. It served as her springboard to launch successful ventures and establish herself as a leader in the field – with Sally being a key sponsor of the latest program.
To be considered for the graduate program, applicants must hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or be an Australian permanent resident. While prior experience in the field is advantageous, it is not a prerequisite.
The roles offer flexibility in terms of location, with opportunities available in and around metropolitan Sydney, as well as in our regional offices situated across New South Wales including Newcastle, Bathurst, Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Murwillumbah and Orange.
We eagerly await the arrival of the next generation of valuation professionals to our team.
*Stewart McLachlan is Chief Executive Officer at Valuation NSW in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
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