Young people and the housing sector in Northern Ireland, England and Wales and are set to benefit from a new Housing Apprenticeship being introduced by the Government.

The qualification, due to be launched in the autumn, will provide new opportunities for young people to develop careers as housing officers, especially 16 to 19-year-olds whose training costs will be met fully by Government.

The Apprenticeship is supported by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and incorporates two of CIH's qualifications covering topics ranging from homelessness and finance, to repairs and maintenance.

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The apprenticeship is being introduced by Asset Skills – the Government's Sector Skills Council for housing.

The Level 3 Apprenticeship qualifications are designed to be on a par with A-levels and learners can also use the qualification to progress to a foundation degree in housing and a range of CIH Level 4 qualifications.

CIH Head of Education, Errol Lawrence, said: "This is an important sector-led qualification that should be attractive to both housing organisations and young people.

"The guaranteed full funding from Government towards the training costs for 16 to 19-year-olds should be particularly attractive. It also creates another opportunity to promote housing as a career to a much younger group of people – many of whom are struggling to find career opportunities as a result of the downturn in the economy."

(NS/GK)