‘Challenge is building long term careers’
Countrywide Surveying Services (CSS) has expanded its team, adding six newly qualified surveyors in the past month, bringing the total number to have qualified through its training academy so far in 2026 to 35.
The company currently has 13 additional trainees working towards qualification through its academy. Of these, five are women, while across its wider field surveying and management staff, nearly one in four are female.
Trainees have joined from a range of property-related careers, including estate agency, domestic energy assessment, sales and lettings.
A profession where people can develop
Matthew Cumber, managing director at Countrywide Surveying Services, said: “Bringing new people into the surveying sector is vital, but the bigger challenge is creating a profession in which they can develop, progress and build long-term careers.”
However, this is challenging. Skyline’s 2026 Survey of Surveyors showed that nearly half (46%) of respondents don’t expect to be working in the profession beyond the next 10 years, while 62% are aged over 50 and fewer than 16% are under 40.
“As experienced surveyors begin to leave the industry, there’s an opportunity to pass on the knowledge and professional judgement they have built over many years. That experience is difficult to replace and ensuring it is shared with the next generation should be a priority across the sector,” said Cumber.
“At the same time, the role of the surveyor continues to change as technology, data and a broader range of property risks become part of everyday decision-making. Ultimately, the strength of the profession will depend not only on how many people we attract into surveying, but on how well we equip them to become its experienced professionals of tomorrow.”
