Property companies are grappling with the question of how best to foster fresh talent, provide mentorship for new entrants, build capacity in the industry, and effectively implement empowerment principles. JHI Real Estate has found a model that works. It’s called "Creating real advancement for tomorrow", or its more common and catchy acronym, Craft.

It’s not always been an easy approach but it has emerged as a successful one. JHI learnt the hard way that the threat of young talent being poached is very real, an it’s hard to stop a new graduate leaping at the opportunity of a hefty package and prestigious position.

"JHI is seen as an alma mater of the property market," says JHI corporate services director Jay Junkoon. "It’s the training ground that produced many industry professionals". Besides the Craft program, 40% of JHI’s equity and board comprises BEE and JHI’s procurement policies also ensure a high empowerment component.

The Craft course, which was implemented in 1996, was originally two years but has now been pared down to a more efficient 12 months. It provides young property practitioners with hands-on training and exposure to a variety of property fields. They start off with three to four months in the property management division. Then they move on to broking, retail management, valuations, marketing, research and development management.

"In each department, they learn the ropes; attend meetings and participate in the day-to-day operations of that particular section," explains Junkoon.

It has not all been plain sailing, adds Junkoon. There have been incidences of head-hunted candidates up and leaving mid-programme. A couple of candidates have even absconded from the programme altogether.

"It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, because other worthy candidates lose a chance to get on the programme," he says. Nevertheless, only three such cases have occurred over the past decade.

Positive results outweigh the negative experiences though. So far, Craft has produced 17 "graduates", six women and eleven men. Junkoon says that in recent years, the number of women accepted onto the course has been rising.

The direct cost to JHI of each candidate I around R120,000 for the year and the company takes three or four new candidates annually.

The list of Craft graduates is impressive. Counted among them are Department of Public Works Chief Director Portfolio Analysis Gugu Mazibuko; Institute of Black Property Practitioners president Oarona Khama; head of property management at the Johannesburg Property Company Mashilo Pitjeng; and Matreal Property Services MD Tsepo Matlala.

Craft has helped JHI to pinpoint several key success factors for empowerment programmes. They offer a worthwhile lesson for other property companies wanting to initiate empowerment training and learnerships. Junkoon reckons there are three main areas that need to be tightly managed.

Mechanisms for engagement are crucial. Junkoon says that the participation of various managers and executives on the programme must be regularly assessed and guided where necessary. "Some people are natural mentors, others need more support", he explains.

Even once a candidate completes the programme, the mentorship relationship should be maintained for as long as another 18 months to two years. This provides the candidate with some continuity as they move into their chosen property field;

JHI has learnt to spread its net far and wide when advertising for candidates. The company no longer targets only university graduates, but will consider students that are mid-way through property-related qualifications. Regional representation is also being actively encouraged.

The lessons learned through Craft are meaningful on two levels. Young candidates walk away with invaluable on-the-job training and a clear overview of what the commercial and industrial property – and all its varied disciplines – is all about. But for companies battling to find a workable solution for empowerment objectives and capacity building, Craft offers priceless insights into how a programme like this should be managed and grown.

But the final note must come from a Craft graduate. Chief director of portfolio analysis at the national Department of Public Works Gugu Mazibuko concludes, "As far back as 1991, when the transformation of the country was not yet defined - let alone the transformation challenges and imperatives within the property industry, JHI envisioned and implemented a transformation programme which no other player in the property industry has matched to date, through their own initiative; without threat or force."

The impact Craft has had on the lives of young, black property professionals is best summed up by the programme’s graduates themselves. Here’s a sampling of comments and feedback received from those who know the programme – from the inside out:

• "The experience of being exposed to the property industry is such an overwhelming thing. The two years that I was trained into property management has given me a chance to explore my potential and capability of professionalism – especially in a field that has very few black women." Lebo Malapo, who is currently an assistant portfolio manager at Johannesburg Property Company.

• "The training programme that JHI initiated and pioneered in the early 1990s was, and still is, among the most credible and important in the property industry. It has produced numerous industry players and leaders both in the private and public sector." Kholoro Matlala, who now heads up MatReal Property Services.

• "JHI took the initiative long before it was politically rewarding to offer what would be the foundation to my ten-year career in the property industry." Oarona Khama, who is the property development manager at RMB Properties.

• "I personally benefited a great deal from this programme and can confidently confirm that it is indeed a worthy course for any young individuals seeking careers in the property industry. It offers a meaningful kick-off, especially where new entrants have not been exposed to the corporate environment before." Zandile Mthembu, who is a trainee centre manager at Southgate Mall in Johannesburg.