News From Creating Excellence: Housing Apprenticeships for Local Government and Housing Associations

Recent research has shown that while skills in housing are less of an issue than they were a year ago, finding the right people to work in housing in your organisations is still not easy. This is particularly true in the South West which is why Asset Skills is working with other partners to promote new Housing Apprenticeships.

Asset Skills is the Sector Skills Council which includes housing in its remit. Its aim is to improve and develop skills in this sector.  Asset Skills have recently updated National Occupational Standards (NOS) at level 3 and it is against this standard that the training has been developed.

The housing landscape has changed significantly in recent years with the effects of Right to Buy (RTB) and Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT).  Housing has taken on a wider perspective and an enabling role. This role now extends to working more closely with a wide range of partners. Finding the right skills for the job is not always easy.

This forthcoming apprenticeship scheme will consist of four elements:

1. The NVQ - this is the competence based element, where apprentices are assessed doing the job
2. The Technical Certificate. This is the knowledge element of the apprenticeship. In this case this is the CIH Level 3 housing certificate
3. Key Skills. This is Application of Number and Communications, in other words English and Maths. There is the possibility of doing IT if organisations wish to do so.
4. Employee Rights & Responsibilities. This is a booklet which has to be completed by the apprentice and links very closely to an induction programme.

The CIH level 3 housing certificate will give apprentices a good grounding in housing management, housing advice, customer involvement and community development. The on-the-job aspect can offer trainees the opportunity to immediately start to put this into practice.

Training costs would be met by government for those who are 16 - 19 years, but employers may need to fund a percentage of costs for those above 19 years. However some training providers may ask for no fees or a reduced fee. Employers would also need to pay apprentices about £95 per week to age 19 years and at minimum wage after 19 years.

You will find further information on this new programme below Asset Skills is inviting expressions of interest before Wednesday 15 December 2008. They have already received 5 expressions of interest so please respond quickly to ensure your organisation can take full advantage of the opportunity to ‘grow your own' housing expertise.

This scheme has been developed to help secure more apprenticeship places for young people in the South West (and nationally) as well as provide a more cost effective way of developing and retaining the right skills within the sector.

Please complete the form and return it to:

Gill Spatcher
Apprenticeships Development Manager
Asset Skills
Sol House
St Katherines's Street
Northampton
NN1 2QZ
gspatcher@assetskills.org

The form is available here.

More information here.

The outline flyer here.