The educational qualifications of the average real estate and insurance agent has increased in the past 10 years, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin noted in written responses to questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 7).
As of 2013, about two in three property agents had attained at least a diploma – up from two in five in 2003. In the insurance sector, about four in five agents had attained a diploma or above qualification, up from one in two a decade ago.
The total number of full-time real estate agents fell last year as compared to a decade ago, with about eight in ten of resident real estate agents in 2013 in full-time employment, down from nine in ten in 2003, Mr Tan said. Roughly two-thirds were aged 40 and above as of last year, up from one in two in 2003.
In the insurance sector, nine in ten resident insurance representatives were in full-time employment in 2013, a similar proportion as a decade ago. The proportion of those aged 40 and above was constant, at about half, the Manpower Minister said.
Both industries had an even distribution of males and females across the past decade, he said in response to questions from MP Patrick Tay.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 7 Oct 2014