Property manager Lewis Littlejohn says that the scheme will give pupils the chance to "gain insight into a factoring company that do things a little differently"

Newton Property is factoring in the next generation

The factoring company has launched a new scheme to offer paid placements to pupils

Posted by Hannah Vickers | May 31, 2017 | School life

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• #derek-macdonald
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Factoring company, Newton Property has opened its office doors to give schoolchildren experience in general business and property management.

The company has launched the holiday work placement scheme for the children of their clients to help address the lack of paid work experience opportunities for 16-18 year olds during their quieter summer months. This will also allow some of Newton’s clients to discover more about how the company operates as a Scotland-wide property factor.

The scheme, which will operate from Newton’s offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen, will enable the students to participate in property visits, contractor meetings and inspection of developments alongside experienced property managers. 

These students are the future of business in Scotland and we want to invest in nurturing and attracting talent from an early age - Derek MacDonald, joint managing director at Newton Property

Derek MacDonald, joint managing director at Newton Property, said: “The fully-paid work placement scheme is quite a radical step change for the sector. Newton will be paying the successful candidates the national living wage, which is above the minimum wage most 16 to 18 year olds would earn during the summer holidays. Newton now manages the factoring and letting needs of over £2 billion worth of residential properties across Scotland and we wanted to give something back to the children of these clients and stakeholders.

“There are multiple benefits to leading the first scheme of this kind for the sector. First and foremost, it’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce the next generation to property management and enable them to gain experience working in an office environment.

“Young people who have the drive and inclination to succeed should be encouraged and supported by businesses like Newton. These students are the future of business in Scotland and we want to invest in nurturing and attracting talent from an early age. This is the first year of the scheme but we hope that by next year other factoring companies will roll out similar initiatives and yet more students will be taken on. We have our eyes very much fixed on the future.

“We also wanted to improve the understanding of factor’s roles and practises. By offering a work placement scheme to family members of clients in particular, we hope to greatly improve the reputation of factors and demonstrate the openness of our services.”

Lewis Littlejohn joined Newton Property’s Glasgow office in March 2016 as a graduate property manager. Despite having never considered this as a career option whilst at school, he is now passionate about extolling its virtues to young people.

Lewis commented: “Despite my job title of property manager, my role is often more about people than it is property. Whilst the technical knowledge is very important, what is even more valuable is the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.

“By joining the scheme, participants will gain insight into a factoring company that do things a little differently. Property management is a brilliantly diverse and challenging career; I’ve worked under the supervision of an experienced director for the past year who has supported me to the point of now being able to handle development projects myself.

“It’s been a very rewarding process and I firmly believe that anyone entering the Newton offices could not fail to be impressed with the high standard of our client services and the professionalism.”

For further information on Newton Property’s work placement scheme, email jobs@newtonproperty.co.uk.