Jobs and Careers with James Caan 2012 - (Page 46)

HOUSING HOMEwork Like working with people and enjoy a challenge? Welcome to the housing profession… is his castle" – and as testimony to the truth of that old adage, the UK exhibits a home-owning culture with few parallels elsewhere in Europe. Nevertheless, upwards of a third of Britons live in rental accommodation, and over five million properties are owned by local councils and housing associations. As a result, a profession has evolved around catering for the millions of tenants on low incomes and/or with special needs who live in rented accommodation, and managing the properties themselves. Within housing management, maintenance and supported activities, over 150,000 people are employed in this country – the majority for the aforementioned local authorities and housing associations who represent some of the biggest landlords in the UK. There are however roles also available with housing trusts, cooperatives and other public agencies such as social services and health authorities which also own properties for their staff or clients. These roles can be found in very diverse areas, ranging from hands-on activities such as site maintenance and specific skilled tasks such as plumbing and electrical work, through to housing allocation, rent collection, quality checking, health and safety analysis and even offering advice to homeless people or FAMOUSLY, "an Englishman’s home those trying to move home. At a more strategic level, a great deal of financial activity is carried out by and on behalf of housing organisations: it should come as no surprise to anyone who’s bought a property to learn that the sums of money involved in this profession can be pretty astronomical, and the sheer number of transactions which an organisation needs to process can demand a hefty back-office set-up. Of course, like any profession there are opportunities within administration and HR; meanwhile the customer service element of the profession is very significant and can involve roles with much more person-toperson contact than the norm. While of course this diversity of potential roles means that a wide range of skills may be valuable, generally speaking those considering a job within the housing profession should demonstrate a genuine interest in people’s living conditions and excellent communication and organisational skills. Housing professionals must also be able to work effectively with people from a huge array of different cultural and social backgrounds, and have an understanding of different physical and emotional needs – at times, there may be the need to interact with some of society’s most vulnerable people and sensitivity and tact are prerequisites. Relevant qualifications vary, of course, depending on the nature of the specific role being sought. The Chartered Institute of Housing offers a wide range of flexible and accessible courses for workers in the housing profession; obviously, those looking to work in management or finance-related roles may have to gain profession-specific qualifications. In general, each organisation will have its own requirements so be sure to research the particular company or association which you’re considering. n Housing professionals must be able to work effectively with people from a huge array of different cultural and social backgrounds Within housing management, maintenance and supported activities, over 150,000 people are employed in this country 046 www.jobsandcareersmag.com http://www.jobsandcareersmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers with James Caan 2012

Career bites
What really counts
Weighing it all up
Around the world
Ask the experts
Growth sectors
Train your brain
Homework
Carve a career in care
Here come the girls
Mum’s the word
An apple a day
It’s for you-hoo!
A step forward
His & hers
Bank on it
Risky Business
In the money
3 Specialist medical jobs
The stuff of life
Power on
Engineering heroes
Outside the box
Keeping it clean
Your Business with James Caan
Go Go GadGets
On trend office
Take my advice
Getting Going
The bank job
Make the most of your assets
Back to business
The law and you
HR Matters
Make it work
Into the cloud
Design & shine
Reach out
Gorkana and Gurkhas
Protect and prosper
Making it count
Your business or your life?
Nice supplies
Beginning business
Ship it
Ethical business
Backing business
Standing together
Top 10 hiring tips

Jobs and Careers with James Caan 2012