More than 30 social housing tenants signed up for First Choice Homes Oldham’s (FCHO) employment service last week following an event designed to help them find a job with their landlord.
Around 100 people visited FCHO’s Union Street offices on Thursday for the sold-out Careers in Housing event to see what opportunities were available.
The housing association joined forces with other local landlords Jigsaw, Great Places and ForHousing for the event.
It follows Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) recent commitment to recruit 20 per cent of their workforce from social housing tenants by 2034.
The event was also a chance to spread the message that social housing tenants can rent a home from their landlord and work for them too.
FCHO customer Billie-Jo Wareing is a home ownership administrator with her landlord after completing an apprenticeship.
“I wasn’t aware I could work for FCHO as well as be a tenant. I simply presumed this would be a conflict of interest, so I was surprised when I was told about an apprenticeship opportunity,” the 37-year-old from South Chadderton explained.
“I carried out the apprenticeship with FCHO over two years, achieved a distinction and applied for a permanent role. Working at FCHO has been the best job I have had.”
She added: “My advice is get in touch with your landlord’s employment service. They help you so much and make you realise how much potential you have.”
FCHO employment and skills manager Mark Harrison said: “It was a fantastic turn out and amazing to see the collaboration between us and other Greater Manchester housing providers to improve residents’ lives, not just in Oldham, but across the region.
"At today’s event we’ve recruited more than 30 FCHO customers onto our employment service’s caseload who want support from us in finding jobs – with many looking for opportunities specifically in housing.
“This shows just how many people are interested in working in the housing sector but perhaps didn’t realise the possibilities available.”
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