Thursday 29 August 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
Student accommodation CEOs front new Property Council Academy offering
The CEOs of two of the country’s largest student accommodation providers have fronted a new-look webinar hosted by the industry peak body’s professional development provider, the Property Council Academy.
Scape CEO Anouk Darling, UniLodge Australia CEO Tomas Johnsson as well as International Education Association Australia CEO Phil Honeywood featured in the pilot online course earlier this month, hosted by the Student Accommodation Council’s Executive Director Torie Brown.
In a sign of the policy and investor interest in the sector more than 100 property professionals took part in the Academy’s newly developed professional development offering.
Ms Brown said the course helped participants unravel the potential of this burgeoning sector.
“We have never seen so much national attention on the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector,” Ms Brown said.
“With the government identifying PBSA as a crucial component of our housing crisis and international student market, it’s essential that we provide the right training and resources for people in and out of the sector.
“This webinar was about more than just filling gaps – it was about elevating the entire sector and giving people the tools they need to succeed,” she said.
The webinar, explored the role of PBSA within the Australian Government’s housing and student visa policies, examined the impact of international students on the housing market, and provided insights into the state-by-state taxation landscape for PBSA, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
Just this week, the federal government announced its proposed new international student commencement caps, which has been the subject of great work and advocacy by Ms Brown and the Student Accommodation Council.
Property Council Academy Director Kelly Jones said the webinar offering was part of a broader strategy by the Academy to offer specialised training designed by industry experts, for industry professionals.
“We tailored this webinar to address the specific needs of the student accommodation sector, and we’re already planning to expand our offerings in this area,” Ms Jones said.
“The Academy prides itself on its ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the industry.
“What makes our courses unique is the high-profile professionals we secure to lead our course materials, allowing them to bring real-world experience into the classroom.
“The uptake of the course shows just how much interest there is in student accommodation,” she said.
People who may have missed the webinar are welcome to register their interest in future courses by emailing edupropertycouncil.com.au or can search all the Academy’s face to face, online or in-house courses at www.propertycouncil.com.au/academy
ENDS
Media contact: Rhys Prka | 0425 113 273 | [email protected]
Ellie Laing-Southwood | 0416 007 830 | [email protected]