Vince Cable launches 'Academy 4 Housing'

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

Business Secretary Vince Cable has helped to launch a new social enterprise set up to educate, employ and enable housing association tenants.

Academy 4 Housing, a partnership between Thames Valley, Shepherd’s Bush, Gateway and Sentinel housing associations, aims to develop the talent and skills of those working or living in the social housing sector.  

Speaking at the launch event held at the House of Commons, Vince Cable said: “I welcome this new and exciting initiative. In tough times it’s vital we give people the skills and experience they need to succeed in the job market.

"Academy 4 Housing will play a much needed role in providing the high quality housing training and apprenticeships to improve people chances of employment.”

The Academy will offer employability programmes for people who are completely removed from the labour market. Housing specific modules will be made available to housing professionals.

Andrew Craig, Academy 4 Housing Managing Director, said: “Our aim is to not only deliver excellent training and employment services, but to also create enterprising futures for all the people, companies and communities we work with.

"We will be working with housing associations to increase their productivity and staff retention both by providing direct training and by supplying high calibre trainees and apprentices.

"We have brought together a team of housing experts, to deliver our professional and bespoke qualifications. This means we are best placed to understand and fulfil the training needs of the sector.”

As a City and Guilds and Chartered Institute of Housing approved training centre, the Academy will be fully accredited to deliver its training programmes and qualifications.

Geeta Nanda, Thames Valley Housing (TVH) CEO, said: “Academy 4 Housing will build upon the successes of its predecessor, the award wining TVH Training Centre, by delivering sector-led specific training, education and employability opportunities.

"In doing so, the Academy will be able to identify and support clients to access and sustain long term and positive careers within the sector.”