A group of local students recently completed a week-long work experience programme, gaining first-hand experience of the wide range of careers involved in housing, property services and community support.
During the week, students spent time with teams across the organisation, learning about areas including customer services, housing management, repairs and maintenance, communications, learning and development, and community wellbeing. They gained an insight into how homes are allocated and managed, how customer enquiries are handled, and how different teams work together to support residents.
The programme also included practical experiences, with some students accompanying colleagues on property and estate visits, while others learned about repairs, electrical services and the work involved in preparing homes for new residents. Students also got involved in activities such as creating communications content, supporting wellbeing initiatives and taking part in customer engagement sessions.
At the end of the week, the students shared ideas on how organisations can better connect with younger people and reflected on the skills and experiences they had gained. Many spoke about growing in confidence, learning something completely new and gaining a better understanding of the variety of career opportunities available.
The placement programme provided a valuable opportunity for young people to develop workplace skills, explore future career paths and gain hands-on experience in a professional environment.