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OREP:
Low cost, same-day E&O Insurance
Editor’s
Note: This story first appeared in WRE’s Online
edition and generated a flood of responses from veteran appraisers, trainees
and mentors. You’ll find more in Readers
Respond.
Trainee
Trouble: Who's Training Who?
by David Brauner, Editor WRE
While the villain in last issue’s story “Identity
Theft-Appraiser Style” happens to be a trainee, employee dishonesty is not the
only reason appraisers refuse to take on trainees. Veteran appraisers
wanting to give back to the profession by mentoring also report that the
system is getting in their way.
By now, issues that discourage mentors are familiar: employee dishonesty, training the competition, potential liability– fear of the unknown. The result is an alarming number of trainees who can not find a mentor and concern about the future of a profession that can't or won't train new blood.
Not discussed as often is another stumbling block that relates directly to the bottom line: mentors say they can not afford the time and resources required to train a newbie that is not able to be productive for many long months.
While
the laws in each state are unique, many require mentors to accompany trainees on
all assignments during the beginning stages of their field training (typically
2,000 hours). Most seasoned appraisers do not oppose the requirement, knowing
better than anyone how green newly-minted trainees can be. But the financial
burden the current system creates can be a deal breaker for even the most
well-meaning mentors.
Experience Schools
One solution, offered by appraiser Larry Christensen during public comments at
an Appraiser Qualifications Board Meeting (AQB) earlier this year, is to enable
schools to provide at least part of the required field training hours so
graduates can hit the ground running when they join an appraisal firm.
