Association pushes for more comprehensive education and stricter qualification criteria for industry professionals
In a third white paper published late last week, the Ontario Real Estate Association continued to push for a strengthened real estate education program that will pave the way for a more developed curriculum.
The program is ultimately meant to “produce highly educated, well-trained, practice-ready real estate professionals,” the Association said in its news release.
Read more: OREA calls for sweeping revamp of RECO education program
“Raising the professional standards of Ontario Realtors begins with improving the education that happens before becoming a licensed professional,” OREA president Ettore Cardarelli said. “A stronger education program will better prepare salespeople for our increasingly complex real estate market, and the challenges that come with helping families through the biggest purchase of their lives.”
OREA stated that ever since the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) took control over the program in 2008, the quality of education has fallen behind—a stark contrast to its acclaimed status prior to the takeover, in which it stood as the benchmark of other provinces’ real estate education programs.
“The current curriculum diminishes the importance of a Realtor, homes and property to Ontarians,” Cardarelli argued. “This is our opportunity to have our recommendations for improving education considered and hopefully implemented.”
The OREA REBBA Review Taskforce is in the process of collecting feedback from industry professionals and the public on the following proposals:
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The program is ultimately meant to “produce highly educated, well-trained, practice-ready real estate professionals,” the Association said in its news release.
Read more: OREA calls for sweeping revamp of RECO education program
“Raising the professional standards of Ontario Realtors begins with improving the education that happens before becoming a licensed professional,” OREA president Ettore Cardarelli said. “A stronger education program will better prepare salespeople for our increasingly complex real estate market, and the challenges that come with helping families through the biggest purchase of their lives.”
OREA stated that ever since the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) took control over the program in 2008, the quality of education has fallen behind—a stark contrast to its acclaimed status prior to the takeover, in which it stood as the benchmark of other provinces’ real estate education programs.
“The current curriculum diminishes the importance of a Realtor, homes and property to Ontarians,” Cardarelli argued. “This is our opportunity to have our recommendations for improving education considered and hopefully implemented.”
The OREA REBBA Review Taskforce is in the process of collecting feedback from industry professionals and the public on the following proposals:
- A college diploma or degree as registration pre-requisite
- Tougher, more practice based examinations
- More in-class instruction on offer writing and presentation
- A longer, more demanding articling period that better prepares registrants for the rigours of the marketplace, similar to other professions
- The introduction of new specialty courses in areas like condominiums, industrial and rural/waterfront properties
Related stories:
Real estate association lobbies for tougher regulation
Ontario to streamline housing development process
