Embracing automation in the property and surveying industry

Automation is driving big changes in the property and surveying industry. Professionals are welcoming the evolution, but as Richard Gelder explains, this change needs to be managed well.

Automation in the workplace: Key insights

• Automation is predicted to have a significant impact on the property and surveying industry. It is expected to influence a range of typical tasks as well as the increased use of drones. On the whole, the response by industry professionals is very positive, according to the Hays What Workers Want report
• Integrating automated technology brings numerous challenges. Leaders must consider how to best manage this process and support their employees in a newly automated workplace. 
• Employers should be clear about the future of automation within their business to attract candidates. 
• Professionals in the industry are keen to upskill to get the best use from automated technology. Leaders should invest in training as a priority.
• Workplace culture is key to automation. A supportive environment, with a positive attitude to change is seen by current employees as essential to managing the change.

Read on for further guidance on how to integrate automation in your workplace. 

Alternatively, contact your local consultant for more info on hiring for the newly automated business.

Automation in property industry: Background

Automation is expected to play a major part in the property and surveying industry. Impacts include the collection of survey data, the examination of financial records, preparation of contracts, as well as the increased use of drones.

The response from the industry is significant. According to the Hays What Workers Want report, 66% of property and surveying employers are currently investing in automation. Property and surveying professionals, in turn, show high levels of optimism about technological change, with 78% of respondents embracing automation. Practitioners who adapt will be in a position to provide additional human value and strategic insight.  

However, integrating technology into everyday tasks involves a variety of challenges. How should property and surveying employers approach the automation question and provide the support employees need? Based on our research, here’s our advice.

1. Provide transparency around investment

A significant number (37%) of property and surveying respondents say that they are more attracted to an organisation that is investing or has plans to invest in automation. Over half (52%) would like to hear about it in job adverts and 36% during interviews. Despite this, nearly a quarter (22%) of property and surveying employers do not promote their organisation’s investment in automation at all during the recruitment process.

To attract property and surveying candidates who highly value digital innovation, employers should consider promoting automation investment at key stages of the hiring process. Information about its benefits should be made available, including the ways it can reduce manual administrative tasks and provide more opportunities for adding human value.

2. Facilitate upskilling opportunities

Over a third (37%) of property and surveying employers do not currently have the right skills to enable them to make the best use of automation technology. A quarter (24%) of respondents cite moderate skill gaps, and 13% report extreme skills gaps. 

Professionals are keen to upskill, with 48% developing their soft skills in order to better work with automation, and 38% working on their technical skills. Only 17%, however, are upskilling in technical areas through training funded by their employer. This, despite 53% of property and surveying respondents considering it the responsibility of employers to equip professionals with the skills needed to benefit from automation.

Employers should look to review their training provision, and consider further investment. Improvement in training could be something as simple as providing bite-sized resources for independent learning, or introducing mentoring schemes to help enable digital skills transference.

3. Work on your culture

When it comes to implementing automation, your culture is your best asset. A positive attitude to change is considered the most important factor by 67% of property and surveying workers, looking to successfully deal with digital transformation. This change mindset is ranked more highly than having the right skills already (32%). However, despite this, 31% of property and surveying professionals say their organisation is not set up to deal with technological change.

To ensure the smooth integration of technology, employers should consider hiring change or communications experts to help instil a positive, agile culture. This is crucial to organisations going through major change – and helps to maximise employee engagement.

Workplace automation: Further reading

For more insights into how automation is impacting jobs and the steps you can take to prepare, get your copy of the Hays What Workers Want Report.

For other articles related to the property and surveying industry, read below.

• Strong outlook for UK property and surveying market, yet skills shortages linger
• Salaries are rising, but Property and Surveying professionals aren’t biting
• Three ways to give property & surveying candidates the best interview experience
• Top 10 salary increases in architecture
• Top 10 pay rises seen in building services