New students enrolled in Property Valuation by distance education now have access to valuable online mentoring and feedback on assignments and reports.

The CQUniversity Bachelor of Property degree is piloting an arrangement, together with the Australian Property Institute, so experienced valuers can help new students not employed in a property firm.

Ian Clarkson

John Compton, Michael Sheehan and Chris Roffey, all from Central Queensland, have offered to help with the pilot, bringing more than 100 years of experience with them. Chris said, "I would be happy to assist.  I am retiring from the industry shortly but I feel this is a way in which I can help pass knowledge gleaned to the new faces of the industry."

Property lecturer Ian Clarkson said the intention was to supplement the course coordinator by enabling students to gain industry feedback and knowledge which they will build upon as they move through the degree and into the industry.

Students who have expressed an interest in the pilot so far are from locations as diverse as Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Rainbow Beach (SEQ), Dysart (CQ), Trinity Beach and Cairns (FNQ), Bankstown (NSW) and Torquay (Victoria).

Mr Clarkson, a Fellow of the API and also a Certified Practising Valuer at Taylor Byrne Valuers in Rockhampton, said there are more than 330 students enrolled in the degree program, with almost 100 undertaking Property Valuation this term.

About 75% are from Queensland and of these over 50% are from regional areas, but currently there are also students from every State and Territory, except South Australia. Ages range from 18 to 53, with people from widely varied backgrounds.

"There are mothers looking for part-time opportunities when children reach school age, through to career changers and those with property portfolios or investments who wish to gain a greater understanding of the industry and market they are investing in," Mr Clarkson said.

Even some of the Bachelor of Property students who are already working for valuers and real estate agents can see the benefit of the pilot.  Shannan McNamara, who works with HTW Valuers in Brisbane, is one student changing from an administration role with the company to becoming a property valuer and commented, "I think that it is a really great idea. I was thinking the other day how hard it must be for people who don't have a mentor as such, or senior valuer that they work with, to look over reports, provide feedback or even just give advice."

The aim of the pilot is to assess the benefit to the students; gauge the interaction and satisfaction gained by both the student and mentor; and to create stronger links with the property industry to present graduates that are even better prepared to enter the industry.  Finally, Ian said, "With property being studied throughout Australia, we envisage a network of mentors that will provide links to students in their areas of interest, providing valuable feedback to those wishing to enter this ever changing field."