Housing Careers Training

Socially responsible housing associations can ensure effective links between affordable housing and social inclusion. New build housing programmes and recurring housing management and maintenance spends are important drivers in disadvantaged local economies in difficult economic times.

Working together social housing providers, on the back of combined housing management and maintenance activities, can offer a stable, supportive environment for disadvantaged groups to develop careers. The RSL sector is well aware that the creation of sustainable communities requires more than housing investment – education, employment and health issues also need to be addressed.

With this in mind CHA developed the North Ayrshire Housing Career Training Programme to create a route into housing management and administration for young people and school leavers in North Ayrshire.

Back in January 2009, 10 young people aged 16 to 19 were recruited by CHA on 21 month contracts.  The programme enabled participants to study towards the Chartered Institute of Housing Certificate in Housing Level 2 & Level 3, whilst receiving work based learning within a professional housing environment within CHA and our delivery partners, North Ayrshire Council and ANCHO.  

All 10 trainees completed Level 3 qualifications and attended a graduation ceremony in August 20910 where they were presented with their certificates by Jim Strang, Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland.

The programme and the opportunities afforded to young people was exceptionally well received locally – not only by trainees, all of whom have gone on to secure employment or go into further education, but also by North Ayrshire Councils Educational Services.

The North Ayrshire Housing Careers Training programme was funded by Scottish Government Wider Role, Fairer North Ayrshire Funding from North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership and the 2007-2013 Lowlands Scotland ESF Programme.

In January 2011 CHA recruited a new cohort of 12 unemployed North Ayrshire 16 to 19 year olds as trainees on our second North Ayrshire programme from January 2011 to June 2012 – with 2 additional new partners coming on board to offer work placement opportunities in the form of Irvine Housing Association and CHAP.

In March 2011 CHA were asked to develop a similar project in East Ayrshire. Working in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, Shire Housing Associations and Atrium Homes, 9 formerly unemployed East Ayrshire residents were recruited to paid training opportunities until September 2011.

Further information on our Housing Careers Training Programmes can be obtained from:

Janice Crookston

Community Regeneration Unit

The Michael Lynch Centre for Enterprise

71 Princes Street

Ardrossan

KA22 8DG

Tel 01294 606033