Housing Apprenticeship overhaul

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New framework needed to reflect employer needs

Apr 2008

The current apprenticeship in housing is in need of reform to attract the best young talent, according to Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the housing industry.

The organisation has just launched brand new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the sector after consulting with housing employers.

These standards should set the basis for an overhaul of the apprenticeship framework to reflect the changing nature of the industry.

It is hoped they will shape a more modern and flexible qualification that will pull in more young people and reflect the needs of employers.

The lack of graduates entering the sector was highlighted in our Sector Skills Agreement (SSA), research we carried out in 2006.

Young people were generally not enthusiastic about housing and were unaware of the many different careers available.

We have spent 18 months producing these new standards which we hope will lead to a qualification that's fit for purpose and relevant to today's housing needs.

The existing apprenticeship was developed by Housing Potential, the predecessor to Asset Skills, about seven years ago.

The standards on which they were based required competence to be demonstrated across a wide range of contexts which resulted in few candidates being able to demonstrate full competence.

Minor tweaks were made by Asset Skills in 2003 but we are now developing a completely revamped apprenticeship framework, based on these new standards.

Apprenticeships are fast being seen as the premier route to learning and we need to grasp this opportunity to ensure housing apprenticeships are part of this new approach.

What's next?

The new standards have been submitted for approval to the UKCG – the national group that accredits standards and qualifications.

Once approved Asset Skills will develop a new apprenticeship framework based on them.

We are keen to hear from housing professionals with views on the new apprenticeship.

Representatives from Asset Skills, including their newly appointed housing specialist, Veronica Evans, will be attending forthcoming housing conferences.

They will be available to discuss these issues, including the National Housing Federation's forthcoming Human Resources conference in May and the Chartered Institute of Housing's Harrogate housing conference in June.