Degree courses in surveying have seen student numbers plummet by 25% in the past five years, according to research commissioned by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Ian Perry, chief executive of Harvest Housing Group and housing spokesman for the RICS, said: "Qualified surveyors are very hard to get hold of. It's not been seen to be a glamorous profession in the last 10 years or so.
"There are fewer suitably qualified people around, and not just in our sector. There are 16 types of surveyor and all of them are in short supply.
"Asset management – especially at a more senior level – and project management are the real crunch areas for housing associations. Even if they go out to consultants, there can be delays because they're struggling as well.
"Associations need to be looking at taking on graduates and supporting them for the first two years until they begin to earn their keep."
The average wage for a qualified surveyor with up to two years' experience is £21,600, according to research commissioned by the RICS. This rises to £42,600 for those with more than 20 years' experience.
However, the greatest pay rises have been offered to the newest recruits, with the average salary for an assistant surveyor increasing by 6.8% to £18,600 in the past year.
The Guinness Trust has increased its rates for surveyors by 7.5% on average and has filled four surveyor vacancies that have been open since April by promoting and training existing staff. Jill Cook, head of human resources, said: "We're trying to bring people in at the early stages and progress them through."
Barbara Macanas, head of human resources at the trust's Southern office, said: "It has been a real problem. We are now paying what we believe to be the market rate and having more success as a result."
Harvest has also raised surveyors' salaries, although it would not reveal exact figures.
Source
Housing Today
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