The Guinness Partnership introduce young people to a career in housing
National housing association, The Guinness Partnership, has partnered with Speakers for Schools (SFS) to reach out to younger people to increase awareness of the career opportunities available within the housing sector.
Speakers for Schools is a UK charity that works with state schools, academies, and colleges across the country to deliver inspirational career sessions, work experience opportunities and to spark ambitions and broaden horizons. SFS work with over 3,900 schools and colleges across the UK to nurture talent and help create a more inclusive and diverse workforce.
This was Guinness’s first of a series of engaging, fun and interactive discovery workshops giving young people (age 14-19), the opportunity to learn about pathways to a rewarding career in social housing.
A broad range of roles can be found in the housing sector – for example, as a Housing Officer, working in development, maintenance or building safety, as well as office-based roles in HR or Finance. Housing is a very varied sector and one that really makes a difference to people’s lives.
Schools can express an interest in taking part in a future workshop here: SFS Workshops
Alistair Smyth, The Guinness Partnership’s Director of External Affairs and Social Investment said: “We are delighted to be working with Speakers for Schools and to be able to showcase opportunities that our younger residents, and other young people, may not be aware of. It is important we tackle educational inequality and help create possibilities, irrespective of background. We want to help inspire the next generation of housing professionals by engaging young people while they are still in school.”
Will Montgomery, Regional Engagement Manager – London from Speakers for Schools said: “Speakers for Schools are delighted to be partnering with The Guinness Partnership to deliver a yearlong program that will inspire young people and provide much needed careers information, advice, and guidance. Speakers for Schools exists to end educational inequality and we are passionate about partnering with employers such as the Guinness Partnership who share this mission and give access to their best people and some fantastic opportunities to not just the few, but to all UK state schools.”
Three speakers from Guinness talked about the housing sector and what Guinness does, what working for Guinness involves and offered useful career tips and skills. The speakers were:
- Samantha (Sam) Mobbs started her career as an apprentice and worked for various organisations before joining the Sheffield Foyer, a supported housing accommodation scheme for 16-25 years who’ve experienced homelessness, which she now manages.
- Mark Osborne joined Guinness on a graduate scheme and now works as a Project Delivery Manager with responsibility for the delivery of new build affordable housing.
- Annalisa Langton, as Head of Engagement and Diversity, leads employee engagement across Guinness, as well as supporting Guinness as an inclusive employer.
