Countrywide Surveying Services has added 35 newly qualified surveyors to its workforce so far this year as the residential surveying sector faces concerns over its ageing skills base.
Six surveyors have qualified through the firm’s training academy during the past month, while a further 13 trainees are currently working towards qualification.
The recruitment comes against a backdrop of concern about future capacity within the surveying profession. Skyline’s 2026 Survey of Surveyors found that 46% of respondents did not expect to remain in the profession for more than another 10 years.
Its research also found that 62% of respondents were aged over 50, compared with fewer than 16% who were under 40.
BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION
Countrywide Surveying Services said its academy recruits people from a range of property-related backgrounds, including estate agency, domestic energy assessment, sales and lettings, before providing the technical knowledge and practical training required for residential surveying.
Five of the company’s 13 current trainees are women. Across its field surveying and management operation, almost one in four employees are female, with women working in surveying, management and director roles.
Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services, said: “Bringing new people into the surveying sector is vital, but the bigger challenge is creating a profession in which they can develop, progress and build long-term careers.
“As experienced surveyors begin to leave the industry, there’s an opportunity to pass on the knowledge and professional judgement they have built over many years. That experience is difficult to replace and ensuring it is shared with the next generation should be a priority across the sector.
“At the same time, the role of the surveyor continues to change as technology, data and a broader range of property risks become part of everyday decision-making.
“Ultimately, the strength of the profession will depend not only on how many people we attract into surveying, but on how well we equip them to become its experienced professionals of tomorrow.”
