Life and opportunities in the Preston Baker Academy

The Preston Baker Academy offers job openings in the property industry with a really good package, training, support and clearly defined progression routes

Originally posted: 20th October, 2021

The Preston Baker Academy, launched in lockdown, offers job openings in the property industry with a really good package, training, support and clearly defined progression routes through the company. Read on to find out first-hand what life is like in the academy…

Lockdown prompted Preston Baker to revolutionise its structure, allowing individual employees to blossom doing what they do best and in doing so give the best possible service. The Preston Baker Academy helps to facilitate this by providing recruits with an early insight with comprehensive training and support across the entire business, covering Preston Baker’s services to home buyers, sellers and renters, financial services, property management services to landlords, and new homes, land and planning services.

What’s it like to work in the Preston Baker Academy? Find out here from Senior Property Marketing Advisor Arnas Paulauskas and Property Marketing Advisor Rachel Day.

“I love the environment of the PB Academy, it’s always so high-spirited,” says Arnas, a Business Studies graduate who previously worked in recruitment and retail.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the time it’s electric and we all support and encourage each other. There’s lots of training, support and rewards from the company and we do loads of social activities and events.”

Arnas is quick to point out it is hard work.

“You need to be driven, confident and resilient in this job,” he says.

Describing his typical day at work, Arnas says it usually includes training first thing, before planning his day and then time on the phone.

“It’s good because we work across the Preston Baker business and get an insight into it all. If you have a natural leaning towards a certain area there is the opportunity to learn more about it and after a time perhaps move into that area.

“I like working here so much I have recommended the academy to a friend of mine from the recruitment industry!”

Rachel, who prior to joining the academy worked in banking for five years with RBS, says: “I have never worked for a company that provides so much training and that is a really good thing.

“Everyone gets along too and really supports each other; we are all friends outside work as well, which I haven’t experienced before.”

For Rachel a typical day includes a morning meeting and then time on the phone answering customer enquiries.

“You don’t need experience of estate agency to work in the academy, but you do need to be organised, a bit of a sponge as there is a lot to learn, resilient and willing to learn,” says Rachel.

“We do all work really hard, but we have lots of fun and activities too, including lunch and nights out.”

Rachel’s career progression from the academy is already well underway; she is soon to start in a Support Agent role covering South West Leeds!

Preston Baker Academy

With a transparent salary band of £20,000 to £25,000 within the academy, plus a quarterly bonus of £500 and other incentives, it’s a really good package for individuals wanting to work in the industry.

Preston Baker’s aim is to recruit, nurture and retain the best talent in the industry.

The Preston Baker Academy includes a nine-week induction programme, 6-month estate agent university course (all done online and paid for by Preston Baker), in-role training, shadowing roles across the business, mentoring and coaching, incentives including prizes, gifts, and company-wide events and activities.

There have already been many promotions from the Preston Baker Academy across the company.

You don’t necessarily need any experience in property as this can be taught.

It is a very high volume, target-driven environment, but offers great rewards for the right people. Preston Baker is always on the look-out for individuals with attitude and personality that can be nurtured as those things can’t be taught.

The aim is to help people become the best versions of themselves and the new Preston Baker structure, with clear progression routes and full training support, facilitates this.

If you would like to find out more about job opportunities at Preston Baker Estate Agents, please contact the company’s Head of Talent Zoe Johnson. Email: zoe.johnson@prestonbaker.co.uk Phone: 07741 896395

Picture shows Rachel and Arnas.