With student applications for the Property Management Programme (PMP) nearly doubling in 2010, SAPOA’s newest accredited education course has clearly hit the mark.

Introduced in 2009 as part of the detailed SAPOA Education Strategy which aims to standardized industry education and ensure it is aligned with industry needs, this year over 30 potential students applied to take up the challenge of the PMP at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

The PMP was developed by Wits University Professor Francois Viruly, head of the school of Construction Economics and Management in conjunction with the SAPOA Property management committee.

“In 2007 SAPOA identified the need for a comprehensive property management course that would meet the objectives of the industry. Starting from scratch, a brand new programme was created to reflect the specific needs of South African property practitioners,” SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal

The programme has been approved by Wits University, which is also the training provider, and a full set of notes were written in 2009.

PMP is an eight-month professional course aimed at property managers and will include modules on property law, economics and finance, marketing, technology and facilities, and property management. The course comprises weekly lectures, delivered by academics and property professionals, as well as continual assessment.

Delivered for the first time in 2009 the inaugural class of 19 students will graduate on February 18, 2010. “Participants are proudly coming away from this course with relevant, professional knowledge that will enhance their industry-specific skills and give a boost to the expertise in the sector as a whole,” notes Viruly.

Margie Chessman SAPOA HRD Manager praises the extraordinary support that SAPOA has received from businesses in supporting the property programme as well as the Property Management committee in putting the course together.

“There are a number of companies which have demonstrated their commitment to quality education and achieving the highest professional standards in the sector by putting forward their property management personnel as candidates for the course,” says Gopal.

SAPOA works closely with the Services SETA and Estate Agents Affairs Board to ensure effective learning pathways in the commercial property industry. It is also an active participant in the Service SETA Employer Association, Commercial Property Chamber Board, Organising Framework for Occupations, and Committee of Expert Practitioners.

Jay Junkoon will be taking over as Course Director for 2010. The next PMP programme starts in February 2010, applications are still open and applicants can visit the www.sapoa.org.za to apply.