With four million people in the UK currently living in council housing and another 1.8 million on waiting lists, catering for those in social, temporary and rented accommodation is a mammoth task: and one indebted to the 150,000 employees in the housing industry.

This profession isn’t about estate agents however: even though it is dedicated to property, it’s very much about the people that live in social housing. Often those in state-supported accommodation are low-income families, or those with special needs, and so helping the house-dwellers becomes as important, if not more so, than the structures themselves (this is not to say house maintenance does not form an integral part of the industry though). What’s more, the economic downturn has seen more people turn to government-led housing provisions and rented accommodation, and so meeting this high demand has never been more essential.

Working in housing

The majority of opportunities in housing are provided by housing associations and local authorities, but there are jobs to be found, and careers to built, through a number of other avenues including: voluntary organisations, the private sector, housing trusts and public service departments (such as social services).

Managing and maintaining the five million homes (and those that live in them) owned by local councils and housing associations is carried out by a variety of employees: from those that work hands-on with tenants to those who form part of the numerous support functions that are a necessity for the efficient running of the industry (HR, marketing, IT and finance). Which of course means that there is not one type of person that suits employment in housing. Regardless of your role however, building a career in this area can leave you safe in the knowledge that you’re making a difference to people’s standard of living.

Of course, there are a host of positions located in the industry that are to be found across all sectors, such as administrative roles, IT support, accountants, and marketing managers – but if you’re looking for a housing-specific job or career, why not try these for size?

Housing Advice Officer

The role of Housing Advice Officer is one dedicated to assisting those applying for housing, and offering advice specific to their circumstances. Maintaining strong, healthy relationships between housing organisations and customers is integral to daily activities, and so this role – as a customer’s first port of call – demands attention to detail, a personable manner and an eye for problem solving.

Job requirements: Those looking to gain a job as a Housing Advice Officer will require A levels, or perhaps a degree or HNC (Higher National Certificate) in housing. Gaining hands-on experience will help, too: try volunteering in the industry, as this will ramp up your experience and grow your network. An in-depth knowledge of the housing industry – including nation-wide implications and political-level debates – will prove beneficial to your application. In addition, communications skills – both verbal and written – will form an integral element of such a position.

Arrears Officer

Keeping check of tenants’ rental payments is essential to ensuring a housing association’s rental income is regular. But of course problems may (and will!) arise, and some tenants may not be able to pay their rent for one reason or another, and this is where the Arrears Officer takes control. Legal action may be necessary to recover the arrears, and so liaison with customers, benefit and legal teams will be a regular occurrence.

Job requirements: To take on this role, generally applicants are expected to have two years’ experience in the housing industry. Of course, due to the legal and financial nature of the position, knowledge in these areas will put you in a strong position to become an Arrears Officer. You will need to have in-depth knowledge of Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, welfare rights and other relevant housing legislation.

Neighbourhood Advisor

In this role, you will responsible for a specific neighbourhood: getting to know, and building relationships with, those that live in that designated area. Duties are varied: from dealing with anti-social behaviour to assessing potential tenants, and for this reason working as a Neighbourhood Advisor allows you to build up experience in a number of areas of the housing profession.

Job requirements: Experience (a minimum of one year) is typically required for the position of Neighbourhood Advisor, as well as a HNC in housing or a Graduate Conversion qualification. Negotiation and communication skills are essential, as is of course strong knowledge of housing (specifically neighbourhood) management.

Qualifications

Apprenticeships As the professional body for the housing industry, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) offers a variety of qualifications available for those looking to get started in housing or further develop their career. For school leavers, apprenticeships are an ideal way to gain first-hand experience of the industry, as well as study for a relevant qualification at the same time. This could either be at intermediate level as a Housing Assistant or advanced level as a Housing Support Officer, and will provide both a NVQ Certificate in Housing as well as other related certificates. To find out more about apprenticeships in housing, head to www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Traineeships Many housing associations offer trainee schemes for graduates looking to enter the housing industry. These programmes – which may last one or two years – allow university grads to develop well-rounded experience and knowledge of housing whilst earning a competitive salary.

Conversion courses Don’t overlook applying directly for jobs either, but remember you will need to demonstrate an interest in, and passion for, the housing industry. If you feel that you could benefit from qualifying in the area, to improve your chances of gaining employment, there are “conversion courses” available, which graduates with unrelated degrees can study: try the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 4 Certificate in Access Housing, for instance.

Words: Jessie Bland

Image: Shutterstock

[This article was originally printed in Jobs & Careers with Hilary Devey magazine in November 2012]

Can you imagine what life would be like without clean running water, electricity to power appliances and lighting, or heating to keep us warm and provide hot water? Installing, servicing and maintaining the systems that we all take for granted, but which keep us all living and working safely and comfortably, couldn’t be more important or worthwhile. And then there’s the installation of environmental technologies like solar panels and ground source heat pumps – all trained BSE operatives have the base skills to go on and learn to fit and maintain many renewables systems, so you’ll have access to a growing industry that’s proactively tackling climate change and has a long future ahead of it.

Getting started

How do you go about getting into the profession you want to pursue in the BSE sector and just what sort of skills and aptitudes do you need to be successful? For any career in building services engineering, a two- to four-year apprenticeship is the best way to learn the ‘book’ theory and then put that theory into practice under the guidance of an employer who will enable you to earn while you learn. If you want to do a degree after you’ve completed an apprenticeship, chances are your employer will pay you to do it while you work for them.

But jobs in building services engineering can get pretty tough at times – you might be working at height or in confined spaces, or outside in all weathers. You’ll probably do a few unsociable hours too. If a pensioner has no heating in the middle of winter you might have to get out at the crack of dawn with your employer to put it right.

Then there are practical hands-on skills. It will stand you in good stead if you’ve always been interested in technology and have the practical smarts to solve problems, plus every day you’ll be using the maths and English skills that you learnt at school. You may also be using IT on a daily basis too and have to get to grips with specific software for planning, invoicing and systems design. Because you’ll be working in customers’ homes, you should be fairly comfortable talking to people and willing to learn what makes good customer service. But above all, if you have enthusiasm, a positive attitude and the ability to get stuck in and learn new things, you’ll find employers will want you working for them.

So, where do you go from here?

Well, through us at SummitSkills (the sector skills council for building services engineering) you could speak to one of our Ambassadors, who have worked in the sector for years. Most of them have been apprentices themselves so they have first-hand experience of what it is like. Ambassadors are happy to visit schools and groups to chat about how to get into a career in the sector. Call us on 01908 303960 to arrange a visit. Or you could try ringing our Next Step careersline free on 0800 688 336. They may also point you towards www.GoodDay.org.uk, which is dedicated to building services engineering careers complete with interactive games and other helpful tools. Then there’s the National Apprenticeship Service (www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600), which can give you lots of information about doing an apprenticeship and even help you find an employer to train you.

Finally, go and see one of our Skill M&E competitions. We hold these every year in different locations around the UK when some of the best apprentices around the country compete against one another to prove their talent in their chosen industry. Our regional competitions take place until June and our finals will take place at The Skills Event from 15-17 November at the NEC in Birmingham – where there will also be a wide range of other skills and trades on show. You’ll be able to watch the competitors complete the kind of tasks that you will do when you’re training, and one day it could be you up there competing for the title of best apprentice. Winners of our national skills competitions sometimes go on to represent the UK in the international WorldSkills competition. Come and talk to us at one of these events, or for more information visit www.skillMandE.org.uk.

Words: Keith Marshall OBE, chief executive of SummitSkills

Image: Shutterstock

Over the last few years the property market has been in a state of flux, meaning that working in property demands the ability to adapt to changes in the financial world and in turn, the conditions of the housing market. A dedicated interest in property is crucial and although it may sound obvious, is very important, as the sector can at times involve long procedures and working within a challenging sales environment. The range of jobs in the sector is vast, varying from the more familiar estate agent role to the perhaps lesser-known positions in property surveying. The growing population has resulted in a consequential demand in property – both residential and commercial – meaning that projects catering to this housing shortage are critical.

Sell sell sell

Estate agents are the point of contact between the buyers and sellers. They are required to ascertain an appropriate market value for a property that is both competitive but good value for the sellers. Building on this, an estate agent may be required to establish a marketing plan for the property in order to be sure it is sold in accordance with the sellers’ needs. In this role, you will be expected to market the property by addressing its positive attributes and selling points – but you will also need to deal with the other element of the selling process: the buyer. Determining the correct buyer is essential for an estate agent; for they need to ensure the happiness of both parties so excellent negotiating skills are a must.

In comparison to the majority of roles in the property sector, entering as an estate agent does not require specific qualifications, instead tending to be based upon skills and personality traits. However, if you begin in an administrative capacity – as many estate agents do – admin or sales experience will prove very useful. There is always the opportunity to gain professional qualifications in the area too, these being offered by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). Basic salaries as an estate agent are not often very high as it is almost invariably commission-based role; so working to targets is essential to securing a stable income in the job.

It is important to understand that an estate agent position is suited to those who are very sales-minded, as it is easily the most cutting area of the property trade. For those interested in the purely financial element of property, working within fund management may be an ideal opportunity. As a fund manager, your role involves building the most appropriate business plan for your client and is most suited to business-minded individuals who have excellent analytical and financial skills. Using the strategies drawn up by the fund manager, the investment agent (another property career option) implements these plans.

Property management involves dealing with a client’s portfolio of property, if the owner is not able to or does not wish to do so themselves. As a property manager, you will carry out and analyse research that may affect either the value or ability to market the client’s property. You will also be responsible for organising client’s rent or lease agreements and property inspections as well as the maintenance of the properties. Additionally, property management companies tend to undertake the task of collecting rent from tenants, so the ability to deal with people in, at times, critical situations is imperative. It is possible that you will need degree-level education in a related subject in order to take on this position, as knowledge of property, maintenance and general management is essential, however this is not absolutely the case as some smaller businesses might provide opportunities for those without degrees.

Value for money

Jobs in valuation revolve around the establishment of a property’s price, whether this is for it be sold or instead related to the securing of a loan. As a valuer (or a valuation surveyor) you may also be expected to determine the cost of re-development to an existing property or the development of land for property building. Valuation involves a deep understanding of the current market and the ability to compare and analyse market trends, which will thus demand good mathematical knowledge as well as communications skills. In order to become a qualified valuation surveyor, you will need a related degree that has been approved by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Qualifications in surveying itself, law, economics or valuation and management will all be relevant to your work as a valuation surveyor. Entry requirements for such degree programmes typically require two A levels and GCSE Maths and English at C or above, with excellent numerical skills essential for the majority of work in the property sector. There are opportunities to train further when in the role, for example you may wish to acquire chartered status which you can do whilst working by completing the RICS’ Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme. In order to carry out the scheme you need at least two years’ work experience as a surveyor. Salaries vary for valuation surveyors from £20,000 to £23,000 initially to approximately £40,000 as a chartered surveyor.

Similarly, a quantity surveyor, who is responsible for managing the cost of building projects and minimising additional spending, is required to study for an undergraduate degree in the subject approved by RICS. However, if you already have a degree in a related area then it is possible to study for a postgraduate conversion degree. Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) – which are the equivalent to three-year university programmes – are also accepted but you will usually begin as a technical surveyor (who support chartered surveyors) in this case and can then add to your qualifications as you work through distance-learning courses.

Sold to the highest bidder

An auctioneer involves similar responsibilities to the role of valuation surveyor, as they are in control of valuing the property in order to determine an appropriate reserve value at auction and to index the property accordingly. You will also be required to liase with both buyers and sellers so again, excellent communications skills are crucial, as well as an avid interest in the diversity of property. Duties will frequently involved writing descriptions to accompany the property image and valuation, producing a catalogue for the auctioned properties and promoting the auction itself.

To become an auctioneer, you will be expected usually to have a professional qualification, whether this be in the area of fine arts or humanities. It is possible to work your way up to auctioneer from a salesroom assistant position but a related degree is likely to prove more beneficial when entering this role. Some larger auction houses, such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, offer graduate schemes and degree programmes in the field – so it is important to research thoroughly the most appropriate qualification and institution for you. There are a variety of schemes available for graduates in the property sector, with starting salaries typically around £20,000 to £25,000.

It is therefore clear that working in the sector typically demands a combination of professional qualifications, excellent communication skills and a proven numerical ability. When working with clients, whether as a direct port-of-call as an estate agent or in a financial capacity as an asset manager, the ability to build a rapport with those you manage projects with is essential. Determining what it is about property that interests you and assessing your academic background will help you to decide the right avenue for you to build a career in property.

Words: Jessie Bland

Image: Shutterstock

[This article was originally printed in Jobs & Careers with Hayley Taylor magazine in September 2011.]

As a result, a profession has evolved around catering for the millions of tenants on low incomes and/or with special needs who live in rented accommodation, and managing the properties themselves.

Within housing management, maintenance and supported activities, over 150,000 people are employed in this country – the majority for the aforementioned local authorities and housing associations who represent some of the biggest landlords in the UK. There are however roles also available with housing trusts, cooperatives and other public agencies such as social services and health authorities which also own properties for their staff or clients.

These roles can be found in very diverse areas, ranging from hands-on activities such as site maintenance and specific skilled tasks such as plumbing and electrical work, through to housing allocation, rent collection, quality checking, health and safety analysis and even offering advice to homeless people or those trying to move home.

At a more strategic level, a great deal of financial activity is carried out by and on behalf of housing organisations: it should come as no surprise to anyone who’s bought a property to learn that the sums of money involved in this profession can be pretty astronomical, and the sheer number of transactions which an organisation needs to process can demand a hefty back-office set-up. Of course, like any profession there are opportunities within administration and HR; meanwhile the customer service element of the profession is very significant and can involve roles with much more person-to-person contact than the norm.

While of course this diversity of potential roles means that a wide range of skills may be valuable, generally speaking those considering a job within the housing profession should demonstrate a genuine interest in people’s living conditions and excellent communication and organisational skills. Housing professionals must also be able to work effectively with people from a huge array of different cultural and social backgrounds, and have an understanding of different physical and emotional needs – at times, there may be the need to interact with some of society’s most vulnerable people and sensitivity and tact are prerequisites.

Relevant qualifications vary, of course, depending on the nature of the specific role being sought. The Chartered Institute of Housing offers a wide range of flexible and accessible courses for workers in the housing profession; obviously, those looking to work in management or finance-related roles may have to gain profession-specific qualifications. In general, each organisation will have its own requirements so be sure to research the particular company or association which you’re considering.

Words: Jamie Liddell

Image: Shutterstock

[This article was originally printed in Jobs & Careers with James Caan magazine in February 2012]