Rightmove launches Ofqual-approved agency qualification

Rightmove has launched a new agent qualification that has been officially approved by the government’s regulatory body, The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

All Rightmove agents will be able to study towards the new qualification, the Level 3 Certificate for Estate and Letting Agents (CELA), as part of their membership.

The qualification will launch on Monday 21 November and the portal said more than 2,000 agents have so far signed up to be the first to get started.

The syllabus will be delivered by a group of renowned industry experts, including Josh Phegan, Dr David Smith and Lesley Horton.

The qualification is designed for both estate and lettings agents, and the free training will be delivered online and on-demand so agents fit the training around their schedules.

The content has been produced to suit all learning styles including video, an accessible digital handbook and a simple user interface.

Following the free training, agents will then be able to sit an independently adjudicated exam through awarding body ABBE for a fee of £170 (plus VAT).

The course has been specifically designed ahead of potential regulations that the Government may bring in based on the RoPA Report, Rightmove said.

Jason Charles, head of education for Rightmove, said: “After a year of putting together CELA with some of the industry’s leading experts and trainers, it’s great to obtain official approval of the syllabus and to let agents know exactly when they can start.

“More than 2,000 agents have already signed up to begin their free training towards their qualification, which shows how keen agents are to further their knowledge and get ahead of any mandatory qualifications that may come in.”

Agents can sign up now by visiting: https://hub.rightmove.co.uk/cela-register-your-interest/

The experts involved in the syllabus content are: 
•    Lesley Horton, Deputy Ombudsman at The Property Ombudsman
•    Josh Phegan, internationally renowned coach of new, emerging and high-performance agents
•    Richard Rawlings, one of the UK’s best-known and innovative estate agency trainers
•    Susie Crolla, Chief Executive of the Guild of Letting & Management
•    Dr. David Smith, property law expert and Partner at JMW Solicitors
•    Frank Webster, industry leader, advisor, and former vice-chairman of Finders Keepers
•    Peter Ambrose, founder of conveyancing firm The Partnership
•    Alex Stretton, founder of Elements Property, who partner with estate and letting agents to edit photos and have enhanced over 1.1 million property photos to date
•    Michael Hare, a previous partner in two agency practices and has been an examiner and assessor for many industry qualifications
•    Lisa Gray, Rightmove’s Customer Education Manager and property marketing expert with over 14 years of experience in agency training
•    Emma Atkinson, Rightmove’s Director of People Development with 20 years of experience in developing talent