Your competence IS AN ASSET! Mandatory basic training IS KEY TO SUCCESS Do you remember your basic training, when you were studying to become a broker? Now that you have moved up in the profession, you have no doubt come to appreciate its importance. Observers and decision-makers also made this observation, and as a result, a few months after the issue was discussed at the Real Estate Summit in February 2012, last November the Ministère des Finances et de l’Économie du Québec instituted mandatory basic training for all future brokers. This is a plus for the profession, as pointed out by Mr. Robert Nadeau, the OACIQ President and CEO: “In an environment where the sale or purchase of a house is becoming increasingly complex and the broker plays a crucial role in the ultimate success of a transaction, today’s announcement is great news for us.” Since September 1, 2013, all candidates to an examination in residential or commercial real estate brokerage or mortgage brokerage must have successfully completed a basic training program offered by an educational institution recognized by the OACIQ. Everything changes. Today’s latest gadget will be obsolete tomorrow. The profession of real estate and mortgage broker is also evolving at a record pace. This is why, whether you are new to the job or a seasoned professional, training and education are essential. WELL-PREPARED RECRUITS The basic training programs recognized by the OACIQ prepare future brokers to: • • • • • successfully complete each aspect of the brokerage business; act ethically and according to accepted practices; skilfully manage their own affairs; provide sound advice to their clients; develop a relationship of trust with their clients and collaborators. affect brokers who are able to act on their own account and who wish to become agency executive officers. Indeed, you must successfully complete a training program recognized by the OACIQ in an educational institution, and then pass the OACIQ certification examination. For former affiliated real estate agents wishing to become agency executive officers, remember that you must first have the right to act on your own account. As announced over the last few months, procedures have changed. For more information, please check the Becoming a broker section at www.oaciq.com. Michael R. concisteR Barrister & Sollicitor B.A., B.C.L., LL.B. DIP. MGMT (APP.) Specializing in Real Estate Law and Commercial Leases Member of the Barreau du Québec 4115 Sherbrooke St. W., Suite 420, Westmount, Québec H3Z 1K9 The mandatory basic training programs include rudiments of math and law, as well as a detailed analysis of the drafting of contracts and documents. All these concepts not only provide tools to help candidates succeed in the profession, but they also offer a guarantee of competence that ultimately reflects on the entire profession. DO YOU WANT TO BECOME AN AGENCY EXECUTIVE OFFICER? In addition to its obvious impacts on future brokers, these regulatory changes also Tel.: 514 875-5311, ext. 5 Fax: 514 875-8381 E-mail: mrconcister@bellnet.ca Website: michaelconcister.com Mandatory basic training is a guarantee of quality that will help consolidate the future of the profession. Profession Broker September 2013 10 Profession Broker September 2013 11