Government School of Property to boost skills in public sector

2 Sep 2021 02:15 PM

New government training programme will improve public sector expertise in property management.

• Civil servants and public sector staff working in the property profession will get access to industry-recognised accreditations
• Training and development programmes will enable better property and estate management of public buildings
• The school forms part of the Government Skills and Curriculum Campus, part of Civil Service modernisation and reform

A new School of Government Property for all public sector workers employed in managing the government estate was yesterday established.

The school will allow civil servants who work in the field of managing government property to gain industry recognised accreditations, through organisations such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.

The announcement builds on the recently signed Declaration of Government Reform, by improving the level of commercial expertise in the Civil Service and ensuring the public estate continues to be managed with the utmost efficiency.

The new school will be part of the Government Skills and Curriculum Campus, and was officially launched through a virtual event yesterday. The launch was attended by more than 300 property professionals from every Government department.

Speaking at the launch of the Government School of Property, Cabinet Office Minister, Lord Agnew yesterday said:

The public estate plays a key role in levelling up all parts of the United Kingdom. It can transform places and public services, boost local growth and help reform the Civil Service to ensure it’s rooted in the communities it serves.

These priorities need talented, capable people with the right skills to deliver.

The Government School of Property will allow Civil Servants to take an active role in developing their skills.

The School of Government Property will offer:

• tailored property training
• leadership development programmes
• a bespoke learning and development curriculum
• support to achieve external accreditation from industry-recognised bodies such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.