The Top Skills in Property & Construction for 2021

Whether you are an employer hiring new talent to fill a skills gap or a hiring manager looking to plan your hiring strategy for the next 12 months, it has never been more important to understand which competencies and attributes are the most sought-after in Property & Construction. In uncertain times, innovative solutions are increasingly needed to solve complex problems.

With this in mind, we have collated a list of some of the top skills which are set to shape 2021 in in Property & Construction. These are the skills which teams will need to thrive and succeed this year. For team leaders, they illustrate areas that may require focus and may highlight skills gaps.

However, this should not be viewed as an issue but also as an opportunity to upskill teams and individuals to take advantage of the trends which will define the years ahead. The other articles in this eBook will help you hire with skills in mind, and help you understand why upskilling and reskilling are so important in a modern organisation.

Stakeholder management

This is important internally and externally.

This is important at all levels of the property, construction, facilities management, and social housing sectors. As client expectations grow, the ability to effectively build and manage these relationships becomes ever more important. Getting buy-in from senior stakeholders will determine whether a deal moves forward, so commercial awareness will play a big part in this. From an external perspective, consumers within every market are much savvier, and when it comes to the services that they are paying for, demand more than a simple solution. Effective stakeholder management skills will always serve professionals well.

Project management

Organisation and communication are key to successful project management.

Effective project management is the bedrock of success in this sector, particularly for longer-term projects. A skilled project manager must be able to multi-task, ensuring that each phase of a project runs to time and budget. This, in turn, requires excellent interpersonal abilities in terms of liaising with key stakeholders at the right time and ensuring that customers are kept in the loop on progress. Project managers must also have an appreciation of risk and proactively assess any potential pitfalls. Although project management can be studied, ultimately there is no substitute for well-worn experience in this area.

Coaching / team development

Instilling a culture of continuous learning can really motivate a team.

Managing a large team is difficult in any sector, and in property and facilities management, teams can be spread across various sites and are not always in contact with their managers. Despite these hurdles, it is still important to be constantly focusing on developing the skill sets of your teams, to drive efficiency and innovation. The level of service that customers receive can make or break a business. This is why team performance management is now more important than ever in ensuring consistent and high-level delivery of service, and that everyone is adhering to their agreed contracts.

Business development

Winning and retaining new business is more important than ever.

In uncertain times, competition has never been fiercer for new business. However, landing a project or contract is one thing, but it is another to successfully deliver and drive repeat business. For this reason, the ability to build strong and lasting business relationships is highly admired in the sector and something that professionals at all levels should be striving to do. Skilled networkers are highly valuable in the property sector, as competition continues to grow and the expectations of the level of service delivered increases.

Financial acumen

Knowing your numbers is key when it comes to turning a profit.

Many could be mistaken for believing that it is only professionals who spend their days working with spreadsheets who need to possess financial acumen. However, a keen appreciation of commerciality is important at all levels of an operation. Those with a comprehensive understanding of market changes, upcoming challenges, opportunities, and legislation will be in a better position to adapt quickly when required. Ultimately, the ability to increase revenue and effectively manage a deal are key skill sets that businesses are looking for.

Chartered credentials

Qualifications remain highly coveted.

While new technologies and market forces are undoubtedly transforming the sector, some fundamentals remain unchanged. An example of this is the value of an MRICS qualification. The skills of a chartered surveyor will vary according to the specific sector that they choose to qualify within, whether this is residential, planning and development, or facilities management, to name but a few. However, the quality of training and the level of their competencies will be in line with the highest of the RICS qualification standard. Therefore, those that possess chartered credentials will remain highly employable.

Proven track record

There really is no substitute for experience in the sector.

A good career history is always viewed positively by employers. While it can take time to build up a credible track record, even those at the junior end of the market can start building their reputation by understanding and then accurately detailing how they have helped to shape a recent project. In either case, the real skill lies in being able to communicate and demonstrate value. Whether you are applying for a new role or going for a promotion, the ability to demonstrate your track record will always stand you in very good stead.

Asset management acumen

A keen eye for all the factors that can affect value depreciation is highly sought after.

Uncertainty has meant that there is a real need for businesses to make better-informed investment choices. In order to prepare for potential challenges in the market, we expect there to be an increase in the need for businesses to bring in talented professionals with experience in asset management, including development appraisals. To help plan for the challenges of 2021 and beyond, it is important that businesses are not overvaluing sites that are at risk of potentially negative market impacts. This is particularly prevalent in the residential market.