BC’s 11 real estate boards and the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) are revitalizing BC’s professional development program (PDP) for REALTORS® and we need your help. On February 11th, the steering committee leading the PDP revitalization project will launch a short survey of all BC REALTORS®.
The survey, running until end of day on Tuesday, February 19, asks REALTORS® questions about the types of learning they value most, what drives their professional development choices, and their views on accredited courses compared to other learning options. To thank REALTORS® for participating, every REALTOR® who completes the survey will be entered into a draw for one of ten Amazon Echo Dots.
Your input is crucial to developing a new approach to PDP that meets REALTOR® needs and enhances professionalism. Watch your inbox for the survey link coming from BCREA on Monday, February 11th.
How the survey responses will be used
On January 23rd, the steering committee presented a proposal for a new PDP framework at a joint meeting among real estate boards and BCREA leadership. At the meeting, they were given the green light to build on this framework and create a business case for a new PDP.
REALTOR® feedback gathered from this survey will be a vital part of this business case, helping ensure that the new PDP is more flexible, accessible and relevant than ever before. The business case will be voted on at BCREA’s annual general meeting in Vancouver on March 26. If it’s approved, planning will begin for a smooth transition that minimizes disruption to REALTORS®.
A new PDP framework for BC’s REALTORS®
The new PDP framework will enhance REALTOR® professionalism while recognizing that REALTORS® are inspired and learn in different ways. It also clearly distinguishes between mandatory licensing education required by the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) and lifelong learning that enhances REALTOR® professionalism.
With RECBC intending to assume responsibility for all aspects of mandatory licensing education by 2020, this is the perfect time for a revitalized PDP, driven and developed by real estate boards, BCREA and REALTORS®. It’s an opportunity to highlight the value of the REALTOR® brand, with its commitment to standards of professionalism that go beyond licensing requirements.
More flexibility and choice
The framework approved by leadership at the January 23rd joint meeting recognizes hours of development rather than credits, with REALTORS® completing 18 hours of professional development within their two-year licensing cycle. REALTOR® flexibility and choice is a guiding principle.
Twelve hours of development would likely be delivered by real estate boards and BCREA. Instead of prescribed courses, REALTORS® will choose courses that best meet their needs and interests.
The remaining six hours of development would be accomplished through other learning opportunities that will be recognized under the new framework. While the details are still to be decided, this could include in-brokerage learning, conferences, volunteering within organized real estate, or professional learning outside organized real estate. Many REALTORS® are already participating in professional development that would be recognized under the new framework.
The revitalization of BC’s PDP is an exciting opportunity to make professional development more relevant and accessible than ever before, while enhancing REALTOR® professionalism. We hope you will take the time to complete the survey and we’ll share more details as they become available.