Leasing is seen as the most essential skill within the retail property Industry, according to students who attended the 2011 International Council of Shopping Centre's European Retail Property School.

More than double the number of students attended the 2011 school than the previous year, and far more students registered for this topic than for courses on management and marketing.

During a master class with two of Europe's most successful retail real estate professionals which wrapped up the week, Peter Wilhelm of developer Wilhelm and Co and his chief operating officer Jean-Michel Despaux, spoke to an audience of over 100 on leasing, industry trends and sustainability. Wilhelm & Co has built and runs multi-functional projects including L'Esplanade in Louvain-la-Neuve and Mediacite in Liege, Belgium.

Every year ICSC's European Retail Property School delivers two levels of shopping centre management training for professionals new to the industry and those who wish to study at a more advanced level. Students sign up for classes in management, marketing and leasing.

According to Neil Mitchenall, chair of the European Shopping Centre Trust, the trend for more education on leasing is to be welcomed: 'Continuing education is essential and retail real estate's future success and profitability relies on people who have the right knowledge and drive. Where the industry is within the current economic cycle, smart leasing is essential within a strong asset management strategy and I am delighted that so many young professionals have seized the opportunity to learn from the best within the industry.'