The newly published Housing Apprenticeship Standard will encourage more young people to choose a career in housing, says the National Housing Federation.
In March, the Prime Minister announced that the housing sector was to join the Apprenticeship Trailblazer programme, putting employers at the helm of the development of an Apprenticeship standard in housing management.
Since then, a consortium of nine housing associations has been working with the National Housing Federation to shape the future of training and skills funding for apprenticeships in the sector.
David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “The standards published today have been designed by the housing sector for the housing sector to support the future training needs of all housing managers.
“Not only will the new standards improve the quality of apprenticeships by increasing skills and adaptability but we also hope it will create more opportunities and encourage more young people to consider housing as a career.
“Housing is diverse sector and a rewarding career with fantastic development opportunities. All too often housing associations are missing out on talented people who have the ability and skills to help respond to a rapidly changing social, financial and political landscape. The new standard will help capture these people and hone their talents.”
The consortium of housing associations is: Aspire Group, Amicus Horizon, Affinity Sutton, Coast and Country Housing, Futures Housing Group, Guinness Housing Partnership, New Charter Housing Trust Group, The Community Housing Group, Yarlington Housing Group.
Chair of the consortium Tim Edwards, Group Head of Regeneration at Aspire, said: “We are very pleased to have the new Housing Apprenticeship standard published as part of the joint work across the sector to raise the profile of housing as a career and support the skills of the sector.”
Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “I’m delighted that the housing sector has developed a new apprenticeship standard in Housing Management.
“Since 2010 there have been 1.8 million apprenticeship starts and the housing sector is leading by example in the development and delivery of high quality apprenticeships that give people the chance of successful careers and help businesses get the skills they need to grow.”