
The Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) has completion of round two of its pioneering Mentorship Program aimed at fostering a passion for real estate in high school leavers and first-year college students.
On Saturday, June 3rd, mentees of the second round returned to the TCREA headquarters to mark the culmination of their transformative journey. Surrounded by their mentors, Honourable Rachel Taylor, Program Director Trevor Musgrove, and the media, the mentees sat their final exams, and each delivered a captivating elevator pitch showcasing their growth and understanding of the profession.
Building on the success of the inaugural round, the TCREA Mentorship Program, launched under the guidance of TCREA Ambassador Trevor Musgrove, continues to provide high-school and first-year college students with invaluable exposure to the real estate industry through live mentorship sessions and a close connection to the country’s premier industry experts.
The second cohort saw more sister island participation, a goal of Musgrove’s. Included were ten students from Providenciales, two from North Caicos, one from South Caicos, and two from Grand Turk. This was especially applauded by Minister Taylor, whose endorsement of the program came with the financial support to ensure it was accessible to students across all islands.
“I’m especially pleased to see that the program has attracted interest from each of our islands,” commented Honourable Taylor, “We must ensure that our young people are exposed to the lucrative opportunities available to them here at home.” Commending the vision of the association and its Ambassador she continued, “When I first received Trevor’s proposal, he captured a focus on communication, critical thinking, leadership skills, and camaraderie. These aligned with our push to use exposure and education to address the soft skills gaps that exist in our country. I have followed the program closely, and we are committed to providing continued support.” She concluded, “This is a career our young people should seriously consider. Who better to sell Turks & Caicos real estate than a Turks & Caicos Islander?”
Throughout the program, the mentees enjoyed monthly interactions with the best of the local real estate landscape: Blair MacPherson of RE/MAX, Vernica Delancy of Keller Williams, Nina Siegenthaler and Lisa Lopes of Sotheby's Turks & Caicos, and Sean O'Neill from The Agency Turks & Caicos, Musgrove’s valued partner.
O'Neill, second-time Mentor for the program shared his sentiments, "It has been an absolute pleasure being a part of the program. Witnessing the dedication and growth of these young individuals has been wonderful. They have embraced the knowledge we’ve shared with great enthusiasm and determination, and I am confident they will make significant contributions in the future. It is an honour to share this profession with them, and we are all excited at the thought of seeing the next generation of agents emerge from this initiative."
The program has provided mentees with a comprehensive understanding of the profession's technical and practical aspects. They have gained knowledge in industry terminology, listing acquisition, marketing, sales techniques, professional etiquette, and the importance of adhering to a strict code of ethics. The program's highlight was an open house exercise, where the teens showcased a luxury penthouse at the Wymara Resort on Grace Bay Beach to a group of mock buyers made up of community professionals.
Emmanuel Morancy, one of this year’s mentees, shared his feelings about the overall experience during the closing session, “This taught me a lot. It increased my interest in the profession and showed me how to sharpen my competitive skills. I was very impressed to realize that even though the mentors all work for competing agencies, they also collaborate and assist each other under the banner of TCREA. That was inspiring to see.”
In recognition of their achievements and commitment, Musgrove presented certificates of participation and appreciation to the mentees and mentors. The closing ceremony concluded with a celebratory lunch, generously sponsored and hosted by Big Al's Island Grill in The Saltmills, Grace Bay.
Many first- and second-year mentees have expressed an interest in rejoining the program, which is a testament to its impact. “It is truly encouraging to see the positive response from the community and the excitement expressed by the young people we have had the pleasure of mentoring,” said Musgrove, two-time TCREA Ambassador. He continued, “This initiative was designed to offer our industry expertise to them, and in return, they have enriched us with their fresh perspectives."
Musgrove’s second term as Ambassador ends in just a few months. Asked about the program's future, he responded, “I am pleased with what we have developed in the last two years. We have achieved our goal of having all islands included, which was of critical importance to us. I have been privileged to have the full support of my colleagues and the Ministry of Education. My role as TCREA Ambassador may be coming to an end, but my commitment to this program has only strengthened. My interest lies in giving our young people full access and a true gateway to success. As such, I will do my part to drive this initiative to its full potential far beyond my term as Ambassador,” said Musgrove.
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