Action to attract a younger workforce into housing

August 2012

Employers have come together to help design new programmes to attract a younger workforce into housing.

A number of housing groups were among 30 organisations attending a recent event hosted by housing skills body Asset Skills to help roll out new Talent Management and Higher Level Skills projects. It follows research by Asset Skills that shows just 10% of the workforce is aged under 25 years, while 45% is over 45.

"Our event aimed to draw on methods of nurturing workforce skills that have worked so successfully elsewhere," said Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of Asset Skills. "With representation from a range of companies, we included workshops that enabled delegates to gain great insights into how others were planning to approach talent management"

In addition to addressing the need for effective succession planning, delegates heard from leading experts about how talent management is crucial for overall business performance and how coaching and mentoring can be used to nurture talent at different levels within companies.

"The forum was the first step on a journey for employers interested in taking talent management forward in their company but not sure what to do next," said Bentley.

Employers also got involved in the new Higher Level Skills project, bringing education and housing employers together like never before, with work placements being arranged not just for undergraduates but for university tutors too.

The Talent Management and Higher Level Skills programmes have received co-investment from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills through the Employer Investment Fund.

Asset Skills is looking for employers to participate in both these projects which will offer the chance to be part of an exciting group exploring the potential for real growth and change.

Similar events will be held across the UK until the end of March 2014. For more information contact Vicki Bowring on vbowring@assetskills.org or call 01392 423 399.