Bringing new valuers and auctioneers into a business is where professional standards are translated into practice, shaping how evidence is gathered, how judgement is applied and how work is ultimately relied upon by clients, courts and institutions. A structured onboarding process gives new staff a clear framework from the outset, ensuring that technical capability develops alongside an understanding of professional responsibility rather than through informal exposure alone.

In a recently published article entitled From orientation to impact: Rethinking how we prepare new hires, Simone Jacobi from McKinsey & Company reinforces the fact  that onboarding is most effective when it is structured, skills-based and extended over time, allowing new hires to build capability progressively rather than being left to interpret expectations for themselves. In the context of valuation and auctioneering, this aligns directly with the need for disciplined development, where consistency of approach, documentation and reporting is fundamental to maintaining credibility in the market.

The AVAA Foundation Course — Valuing Goods, Chattels, Plant & Equipment provides a clear starting point for this process, introducing new entrants to valuation methodology, due diligence, reporting and professional obligations in a structured way. The course moves beyond theory, covering practical elements such as valuation processes, market comparison, cost and income approaches, and the preparation of reports that are accurate, transparent and aligned with industry expectations. This grounding is particularly valuable for new staff, as it establishes a common language and framework that can be consistently applied across different asset classes and assignments.

Building on this, the AVAA Foundation Course — Valuing Fine & Decorative Arts & Antiques extends capability into specialist areas where judgement is often more nuanced and reliant on contextual understanding. The course explores factors such as provenance, authenticity, market influences and stylistic development, while also reinforcing the structure and integrity required in valuation reporting. For businesses operating across diverse asset categories, this allows new valuers to develop depth in areas that require both technical and interpretive skill.

Auctioneering carries its own discipline, and the AVAA Foundation Course – Fundamentals of Auctions and Auctioneering course introduces the practical and procedural elements that underpin a credible sale process, from catalogue preparation through to conducting the auction itself. This structured exposure supports consistency in how assets are presented to market, how buyers are engaged and how risk is managed throughout the sale cycle.

Integrating these courses into onboarding creates a clear and consistent baseline across the business, allowing senior practitioners to build on established knowledge rather than revisiting fundamentals in an ad hoc way. It also ensures that new staff are introduced to recognised industry standards from the outset, supporting quality, reducing variability and reinforcing professional discipline.

Over time, this foundation supports progression toward certification such as the AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) and AVAA Certified Auctioneer (CAAu) credentials, where structured learning, experience and demonstrated competence come together. When onboarding is approached with this level of intent, it becomes a direct extension of professional standards, strengthening both individual capability and the standing of the business in the market.

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Interested In Finding Out More?

If you’re interested in the online training programs offered by AVAA, send an email to events@avaa.com.au or telephone 1300 928 165.  You can also stay up to date by following AVAA on LinkedIn, X/Twitter and Facebook.
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