WOMEN PROPERTY PROFFESIONALS CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

Women in Property celebrated its 20th Birthday Year by launching its new Award Scheme for outstanding second year female students studying a built environment degree course.

43 students were shortlisted from 23 universities for the nine regional winners who received £500, a summer work placement with a relevant employer, a mentor and membership of the Association. The National Student Winner will be selected from the nine regional winners to be announced on 25th September 2007 at Claridge’s, London.

Cathy Stewart, Chairman and Director of Pascall+Watson Architects said “Our awards scheme will expand over the coming years. It’s a natural development from our ‘Education Roadshows’ where our members visit schools to talk directly to girls about career opportunities in property and construction.

“Many young people have no idea about the variety of career open to them until they meet women who are actively involved in creating a built environment. The feedback from these events inspired our awards which contribute to raising awareness of a career in property and construction as well as rewarding talented students.

“The severe skills shortage is an acknowledged fact in our industry. Interestingly companies supporting our awards see it as an opportunity to talk directly to students about career openings in their particular organisation as well as supporting the Association.

“Attracting more women into the industry is not enough. Retention is key and our mentoring programme, open to members only, is now making a positive contribution to solving this issue. Mentoring provides advice and experience at a very personal level from inspiring role models, employers this see it as an effective tool in their human resources service.”

Next year the Awards aim to increase the number of participating universities and students entering the competition.

The inaugural 2007 awards were influential in Women in Property winning funding from the ConstructionSkills’ STEPS to help women into the property industry through finding paid work placements in the industry for a minimum of four weeks.

Information on Women in Property can be seen at www.wipnet.org