NEXT GENERATION SURVEYORS Inspiring the Next Generation of Surveyors
- Danni Foster
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
 | Danni is the Next Generation Manager at RICS. |
Danni outlines some of the activities and tools the RICS supports, with a target to enthuse school children to think of surveying as a career. The Inspire Ambassadors are at the heart of this work. |
At the RICS, our strategy is to be a world-class member organisation, and one of our key priorities is to attract and retain a diverse membership.
There is strong focus on the next generation; teams across RICS are committed to ensuring that careers within the surveying profession, across both the natural and built environments, are visible, accessible and exciting for children and school leavers.
Our members dedicate significant time to support this effort by visiting schools, colleges and universities as Inspire Ambassadors. They deliver talks, presentations and attend open days and careers fairs. Alongside this, we have partnered with both Springpod and Unifrog to extend our reach and engage with a wider audience.
Springpod
We have partnered with Springpod to offer a free virtual work experience platform, helping students gain a deeper understanding of careers in surveying. The programme introduces learners to RICS and the vital role we play in setting the gold standard for surveyors worldwide. It explores the breadth of career pathways available, from quantity surveying to corporate real estate. The content is engaging and interactive, with quizzes and fun activities designed to build students' knowledge and confidence.
Students aged 13 and over can sign up to the programme, which provides more than seven hours of content. On completion, participants receive a certificate that can be used in CVs and applications, helping them stand out when applying for industry related roles.
To date more than 2,500 students have enrolled, with the programme receiving an overall rating of 8.6 out of 10. Feedback has been extremely positive:
“Thank you so much for offering this programme, it has allowed me to understand more about the many careers you can go through this and all of the different areas, along with feeling more confident on how to get there after listening to people’s real stories and experiences.”
“I enjoyed gaining a realistic insight into the day-to-day work of a chartered surveyor and learning about the different career pathways within surveying. The programme helped me understand how theory is applied in real situations and made the route to becoming RICS Chartered feel clear and achievable.”
Currently, only 36% of students in the UK gain in-person work experience before leaving education. Supporting virtual work experience initiatives such as Springpod helps remove barriers including geography, financial constraints and limited employer access, which can disproportionately affect students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds.
If you know a young person who would be interested in exploring a career in surveying, please share the programme link Surveying Work Experience with RICS | Springpod
Unifrog
To further expand our reach, we have also partnered with Unifrog, an online careers platform used by over 3,000 schools across the UK, more than 1,000 international schools and over two million users globally.
Unifrog supports students in exploring post-16 and post-18 pathways, from apprenticeships and university courses, to emerging career options. This partnership allows RICS to connect with students at a critical decision-making stage, providing trust and relevant insights into surveying careers.
As part of this collaboration, we have launched a new video focused on mineral surveying, featuring RICS member Bethany Cleaver. The video is hosted on our Unifrog profile and offers direct insight into a specialist area of surveying, highlighting the real-world impact of the profession.
Through Bethany’s experience, students can better understand what mineral surveying involves, its role within the built and natural environment, and the opportunities it presents.
This marks an important step towards our longer-term ambition to build a comprehensive library of content covering all surveying pathways. Our aim is to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and inspire a more diverse pipeline of future professionals, while strengthening the visibility and relevance of the profession globally.
The video is also available on YouTube Unifrog x RICS - Minerals Surveyor
Inspire Ambassadors
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Our Inspire Ambassadors are at the heart of this work. They include students, candidates, Associate and Chartered members who represent RICS at events and engage directly with students, bringing the profession to life by showcasing their day-to-day roles and sharing their passion for the industry.
Through school visits, careers fairs, university events and virtual sessions, Inspire Ambassadors provide first-hand insight into what a career in surveying really looks like. By sharing their own journeys, experience and challenges, they help to make the profession more relatable and accessible, particularly for students who may not previously have considered surveying as a career option.
In addition to outreach activity, Inspire Ambassadors also support current students, candidates and apprentices as they progress through their Assessment of Professional Competence. By offering guidance, encouragement and practical insight, they help to build confidence and support the next generation in achieving professional status.
This community of volunteers is instrumental in strengthening our global pipeline of talent and ensuring that the profession continues to evolve to reflect the diverse societies it serves. Their contribution not only raises awareness of surveying careers, but also reinforces the value and impact of the profession on the world around us
If you would be interested in becoming an Inspire Ambassador and playing a part in inspiring the next generation, please sign up
If you want to find out more, please contact us nextgen@rics.org
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