Dart seeks next generation of Caymanian property professionals

As Cayman’s property market continues to grow and evolve, Dart has launched a new graduate programme designed to help more Caymanians build careers in the real estate sector.

The Dart Real Estate Graduate Programme will provide recent graduates and early-career professionals with a structured pathway into an industry that generated more than US$1 billion in property sales last year and remains one of the country’s largest economic sectors.

The two-year programme combines full-time employment with professional development, giving participants the opportunity to gain experience across multiple areas of the real estate business while working toward internationally recognised industry qualifications.

Kyle Mason, senior manager in Dart’s active investments team, said the programme was developed to address the need for more locally trained professionals in the sector.

“We really want to grow local Caymanian talent from within instead of having to recruit people from abroad,” Mason told the Compass.

The launch coincides with ongoing policy discussions about the future of the local real estate profession. In May, Opposition MP Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden filed a private member’s motion urging the government to examine measures aimed at increasing Caymanian participation in the sector.

The initiative is designed to help build a pipeline of local talent for an industry that continues to grow, Mason said, while exposing participants to a broad range of career opportunities in real estate.

Successful applicants will join Dart as full-time employees and spend two years gaining experience across multiple areas of the business.

“While they work with us for 24 months, they rotate through different departments in four- to six-month placements,” Mason said. “It could be anything from property management to investments, valuation or leasing.”

Mason said one of the benefits of the rotational structure is that it allows participants to gain exposure to different disciplines before deciding which area best suits their interests and skills.

A key component of the initiative is support for qualification through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, commonly known as RICS, a professional body that sets standards for the global property, construction and infrastructure sectors.

Mason said participants will be enrolled in the RICS pathway at the beginning of the programme and will receive ongoing support from both Dart and RICS representatives.

Participants will also be assigned mentors who will guide them through the programme and help them develop the competencies required for professional accreditation.

The programme is aimed primarily at recent graduates and individuals who have completed their studies within the past 18 months. Dart said it is seeking applicants who demonstrate motivation, aptitude and an interest in pursuing a career in the real estate industry.

At the end of the programme, participants may have opportunities to continue their careers within the organisation, depending on available roles and business needs.

The first cohort is expected to begin in August 2026 following a recruitment process that includes interviews and candidate assessments.

For Mason, the programme represents an investment in the future workforce of an industry that continues to play a significant role in the Cayman Islands economy.

Data from Provenance Properties shows residential real estate transactions surpassed US$1 billion in 2025, reaching US$1.074 billion. The figure was largely driven by the luxury segment.

“Cultivating a sustainable and resiliently built environment starts with developing local talent who can take the torch forward for generations to come,” Mason said.

“This graduate programme creates a clear, structured pathway for emerging professionals to gain meaningful experience while working toward internationally recognised professional qualifications.”