Why social landlords are knocking on doors to help young tenants find jobs
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Version 0 of 1. Circle Housing has a range of ways to reach young tenants who are out of work, including its website, but according to Crystal Fernandes, group employment and skills manager at Circle, the best way “is just to go old school and put letters and leaflets through the door”. Housing associations have a long tradition of helping tenants into work. But government plans, announced in the July budget, to scrap housing benefit for unemployed 18-21 year olds, have created a new urgency to support young people in their job quests. Most offer much more than a job-finding service; as well as identifying and motivating their young jobless tenants, schemes such as Circle’s Routes 2 Work programme provide training in basic employability skills and many continue to provide support once tenants are in work. Circle offers apprenticeships in its own organisation and through partnerships with others. Its procurement process requires potential suppliers to offer apprenticeships or work experience, often in construction but also in sectors such as law. “A lot of our tenants might never have thought about working in a legal firm, but with our reach into it, we’re able to create jobs specifically for them,” says Fernandes. Tracey Walsh, employment initiatives manager at Golden Gates Housing Trust in Warrington, has also found that the best way to reach young people is knocking on their door, rather than more indirect methods. Over the past three years, the trust has had success with its Positive Change programme, which, through the advice and guidance offered in its job clubs, has helped 500 residents into sustainable employment. The association also offers pre-employment training with its “1st steps to trade” scheme. “We’ve been able to get people into work placements and because of that they’re become quite motivated – they’ve got some up-to-date qualifications and are able to move or return to work,” says Walsh. Nicholas Mockridge, a talent coach for Peak Valley Housing Association in Manchester, started working this year with young tenants as part of Talent Match, a lottery-funded national programme aimed at breaking down “significant barriers to work”. Some have problems such as drug use or mental health issues – what Mockridge describes as “significant barriers to life”. Mockridge’s role is to provide one-to-one support for 10 young people for up to two years, meeting each person for up to two hours a week: “What happens is that you then become a constant support in that person’s life.” Despite the difficulties, there are rewards when tenants find sustainable work. Fernandes says that many tenants who took Circle apprenticeships now have jobs with the organisation: “A lot of young people I’ve worked with are now based in this office or in our satellite offices. It’s just like they’ve become part and parcel of the team.” Courses and apprentices: ‘It’s better than being at college, leaving and then being stuck for work’ After leaving school three years ago, Jerome Nicholson, now 19, enrolled on a two-year plumbing course at Harlow College in Essex. He responded to job adverts and apprenticeship schemes, but all to no avail, until his parents – Circle Housing tenants – received a letter from the organisation about its apprenticeship programme. Nicholson contacted Circle and, after an interview, was offered a two-year apprenticeship in building maintenance, paying £5.39 an hour, which he began a year ago. For four days a week, he goes out with a Circle employee to tenants’ houses to carry out repair jobs, working from 8am to 4.30pm. “I’ve been doing some plumbing – changing showers, putting in new toilets – a bit of carpentry and some drainage work – putting in guttering and manhole covers in people’s houses.” Every Thursday, Nicholson attends South Essex College, where he learns maintenance skills, such as plastering. When he completes the apprenticeship in September 2016, he will be awarded a level 2 NVQ diploma. He says that he likes the apprenticeship much more than full-time study: “It’s really good. It’s better than college because I’m getting paid to be here, so I’m not living off Mum and Dad, and I’m really enjoying the practical side of it.” The other advantage is the contact that it gives him with an employer: “It really gives you a stepping stone into a company. “If I want to progress I definitely can,” he says, “rather than just being at college, not earning any money, leaving and then being stuck for work.” Once he has qualified, Nicholson knows Circle will take him on as an employee. And long-term? “I’d like my own business,” he says. This article is part of a supplement sponsored by Campbell Tickell. Sign up for your free Guardian Housing network newsletter with news and analysis sent direct to you every Friday. Follow us: @GuardianHousing |