The Demand for Professional Education: Evidence from the Dutch Real Estate Industry

Executive Summary. This study analyzes the demand for professional education in the Dutch real estate industry. The research is based on a survey among managers of six types of real estate firms, alumni of the main postgraduate course in The Netherlands and persons that have shown an interest in following such a course. The results suggest that human capital and signaling arguments are the most important motives for real estate professionals to take part in real estate courses, while firms are motivated by screening and firm capital arguments. The specific institutional characteristics of the Dutch market for real estate education suggest that there might be a role for interest groups or professional institutions to regulate this market.