Real estate offers broad prospects in management
The demand for qualified property and facility management personnel is on the rise, says Raymond Y.C. Tse, chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate. 'Since the early 1980s we have witnessed Hong Kong's transformation from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy,' Professor Tse says.
'In recent years too, many traditionally Hong Kong-based service industries such as banking and financial services have relocated a large percentage of their operations to southern China, leaving only their core business here in Hong Kong.
'However, the demand for qualified individuals in property and real-estate management is increasing, and this is excellent news for young students wishing to enter a profession with a promising and positive future.
'Housing management, as it was formerly known, is an old concept relating to residential property management that was introduced to Hong Kong many years ago, and was based on existing models in Britain at the time. Property has wide scope and includes more than just housing. In Hong Kong, it relates to property, real estate and facility management, and there has been a noteworthy increase in demand for qualified individuals in relation to the latter.'
Professor Tse says the private property sector, in particular, has acknowledged a growing need for locally qualified individuals to both market and manage properties.
'Hong Kong graduates will continue to be in demand from the private real-estate sector for the foreseeable future, as they have the advantage of speaking the local language. There is a high percentage who are bilingual, or trilingual. The ideal entry path for many young people wishing to pursue a career in property management and real estate is to obtain a full-time job with a property company and then enrol for part-time study at an institution such as the Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate.'
The institute, established 10 years ago, has a membership of 1,000 and specialises in a number of internationally-recognised courses, ranging from a Professional Diploma and an Advanced Diploma through to a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in property and facility management.
'We offer five separate courses relating to property and real-estate management, each complementary to existing university courses, so the courses students select depend on their area of interest under the real-estate umbrella,' he says.
'In the past seven years we have seen increased construction of new buildings, residential and commercial, and the demand for qualified management has increased, which again presents numerous opportunities for young school leavers and graduates.'
With the Hong Kong property market reviving, students can look forward to a secure, lifelong profession in the many different segments of property, real-estate and facilities management.
For more information, contact: the Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate, 13/F, Asian House, 1 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai; Tel 2866-1615; Fax 2294-0255;
