Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney - 155

FOCUS :

HOUSING
Jobs in housing vary
from hands-on work
with tenants to roles in
HR, IT and marketing

Get qualified...
Apprenticeships
For school leavers, apprenticeships
are an ideal way for you to gain firsthand experience of the industry, while
you study for a relevant qualification,
such as NVQ Certificate in Housing.
For more information on how to apply,
visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Qualifications
As the professional body for the
housing industry, the Chartered
Institute of Housing (www.cih.org)
offers a variety of qualifications
available for those looking to get started
in housing or to further develop their
career in this sector.

Traineeships

Words: Sally Thompson. Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock. *Source: Households by tenure, England

People skills
* One of the key things to keep in mind when it
comes to the housing industry - especially
for council properties - is that it's often as
much about the people who require the
houses, as the bricks-and-mortar structures
themselves. The tough economic climate has
caused a sharp increase in demand for social
housing. Social housing is the letting of
properties to low-income households or those
in need of a home from not-for-profit housing
associations or councils/local authorities.

* There are currently 1.8 million people on

social housing waiting lists - and this figure
is rising. This is because there are not
enough affordable homes, so people are
being priced out of getting their foot on
the property ladder, and turning to renting
instead. Private rentals have increased by
40 % in the past five years*. But increasing
rents mean many people cannot afford
to rent privately, so they have to turn to local
councils or housing associations for help.
* Often, those living in social housing need
more than just a home - they may be on a
low income or unemployed, and struggling
to support themselves, or even homeless.
The accommodation for these individuals is
funded through state subsidy (by government)
to ensure it is available to those in need.
* Managing and maintaining the five million

homes (and the people who live in them)
that are owned by local councils and
housing associations is carried out by a
variety of employees: from staff who work
hands-on with tenants, to those working
behind the scenes for the efficient running
of the industry (including HR, marketing,
IT services and finance).
* This means that employment in the
housing sector is very varied, and suitable
for people from all kinds of backgrounds.
It is a very diverse industry, with women
making up 70% of housing officers,
according to the National Careers Service.

Many housing associations offer trainee
schemes for graduates looking to
enter the housing industry. These
programmes - which may last one or
two years - allow university grads to
develop well-rounded experience and
knowledge of housing while earning
a competitive salary at the same time.
Trainee schemes are accessible for
those with both cognate (related)
and non-cognate degrees.

Conversion courses
Don't overlook applying directly for jobs
either, but remember you will need to
demonstrate a passion for the housing
industry. If you feel that you could
benefit from qualifying in the area,
to improve your chances of gaining
employment, there are 'conversion
courses' available, which graduates
with unrelated degrees can study to
become more familiar with housing
- such as the Chartered Institute
of Housing Level 4 Certificate in
Access Housing, for instance.

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 1 5 5

http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk http://www.cih.org

Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney

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