Scottish commercial property consultancy Ryden is stepping up investment in early-career surveyors, planners and agents, unveiling a peer-led development initiative as the sector confronts persistent skills shortages across the built environment.

The move follows the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) latest Surveying Skills Report, which found 87% of professionals believe shortages are having a moderate or critical impact on the industry, with more than a quarter describing the situation as critical. The report also points to an ageing workforce and rising demand for skilled practitioners as key challenges.

Ryden now has an early careers cohort of 18 apprentices, graduates, interns and newly qualified professionals across its Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen offices – one of the largest and most diverse groups in the firm's history.

To accelerate their development, the firm has introduced peer-led learning, networking and professional development sessions to complement formal training and mentoring.

The initiative was created by Graduate Property Manager Piper Reid, who moved from a career in perfume sales after completing a BSc in Real Estate Surveying and joined Ryden in May 2025. She identified an opportunity to connect colleagues at similar stages across disciplines and locations.

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She said: "Real estate is an incredibly varied profession, but many people don't understand the details of different disciplines or the projects of other teams and offices. When you're starting your career it's valuable to learn not only from senior colleagues but also from peers who are going through similar experiences.

"We wanted to create a network where we could share knowledge, build confidence, support one another and welcome guest speakers as we progress towards professional qualification."

The group has already delivered sessions on Ryden's business strategy, networking, client development and cross-selling, with upcoming workshops to explore artificial intelligence, legislation, LinkedIn and wider industry knowledge, alongside informal networking events.

Piper believes property offers opportunities for people from all backgrounds. She said: "No two days are the same. One day you're inspecting buildings or meeting clients on site, the next you're helping shape developments that leave a lasting impact on communities.

"It's also a very people-focused profession. Technology will continue to support the industry, but property is ultimately about relationships, judgement and understanding places."

Managing Partner Alan Gilkison said: "The property profession needs to attract talent from every background if it's going to address the skills challenges facing the industry.

"I'm particularly proud that this initiative has been driven by our own early career professionals. It reflects the collaborative culture we've built at Ryden and the enthusiasm our people have for supporting one another."

Ryden supports colleagues through professional accreditation, including RICS qualifications, while providing mentoring, hands-on experience across multiple disciplines and opportunities to work on projects throughout Scotland and across the wider UK.