World of Housing sees first cohort taking part

SFHA, Wheatley Group and GEM programme’s joint initiative, World of Housing, which aims to create a talent pool to sustain the Scotland’s housing sector, has seen its first cohort of 12 members of staff, from seven housing associations, taking part.  

The initiative is part of SFHA’s Routes to Housing Campaign which aims to promote the social housing sector as a career of choice. 

As part of World of Housing, Wheatley Group will use its strength and influence to benefit the sector, and the GEM programme will apply its experience in the recruitment and development of graduate and graduate-level talent in the housing sector. The GEM programme also works closely to develop ‘change leaders’ within organisations, who emphasise the importance of improvement and adapting to change, to develop and design a recruitment process which works for them and explores how to accelerate personal leadership development. Those taking part in World of Housing go through the GEM programme, becoming ‘GEMs’. The programme challenges GEMs to look at themselves and the world of housing differently, fulfil their potential and become people of influence in their organisations and the wider housing sector. 

Staff from SFHA member organisation Caledonia Housing Association, which is one of the organisations taking part, said that the initial World of Housing sessions have helped them to gain knowledge and skills as well as new ways of thinking.  

Julie Cosgrove, CEO, Caledonia Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with SFHA and Wheatley Group, supporting four of our colleagues through the GEM programme as part of the World of Housing initiative. This is a great opportunity for our colleagues to gain key industry knowledge and skills as well as networking and sharing best practice across the Scottish housing sector.  

“We look forward to mentoring our GEMs with their projects and the benefits their attendance will bring to the Caledonia Housing Group.” 

Geraldine McKenzie, Area Leader Region Two, said: “I got a lot out of these initial sessions and was able to network with so many housing professionals from all over the country. I know it is early days, but, already, I am confident this programme is going to be very worthwhile and beneficial for not just me but others in the organisation that may get the opportunity to take part in the future.” 

Jenna Kennedy, Retirement Housing Team Leader, added: “This course is especially beneficial to individuals that do not work in frontline housing, although it got me thinking about how much progress and a difference we could make as an organisation in terms of homelessness.” 

SFHA’s Innovation and Future Thinking Manager, Debs Allan, said: “By 2025, Routes to Housing will ensure housing is recognised as a career of choice in Scotland. The World of Housing initiative is the first step in this work. The mission is to attract, develop, qualify, and retain upcoming housing professionals. The end game will be a pipeline of graduate and graduate-level talent to address the changing demographics of the sector. 

“It’s great to see the first cohort of housing professionals joining World of Housing and beginning the process of developing opportunities to sustain the housing sector in Scotland.”  

Trevor Smith, Director of the GEM Programme, said: “I'm delighted World of Housing has got off to such a successful start, with 12 upcoming housing professionals from seven Scottish housing associations joining the GEM Programme in January. This powerful 12-month career-building programme will provide the Scottish housing sector with the talent we need to sustain its future. It's a privilege to be working with executives in the progressive-thinking Change Leaders Group, which draws together pioneering housing associations committed to the World of Housing.  

“Our collaboration will ensure their GEMs grow as people of influence in the housing sector and housing becomes a career of choice. The GEMs from Scotland will be learning without boundaries on a journey with other GEMs from housing organisations in England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Holland.”