Regional focus: Wales
Richard Gelder, business director of Hays Social Housing, provides an insight into employment opportunities for social housing professionals in Wales.
The facts
Did you know that the least affordable area in Wales had an average house price to income ratio of 5.86:1 in 2005? Are you aware that a recent survey also indicated that the average income for younger working households with a single earner was £20,111 in 2005 and that the average income for dual earner households was £37,371 ?
These salaries are the lowest in Great Britain and highlight the strong social housing requirement across the region.
Indeed, social housing remains high on the Welsh Assembly Government agenda. According to the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) Housing spokesperson, Cllr Aled Roberts, “Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable for our young people, levels of homelessness are higher than ever, and waiting lists are getting longer.
"By tackling the housing challenge together we can ensure that not only do we improve housing opportunities, but we also generate jobs, improve health and wellbeing and sustain strong communities.”
Current initiatives
The biggest single initiative in Wales at the moment is the ‘Better Homes for People in Wales’ programme, which is being led by the Welsh Assembly Government.
This is Wales's first formal National Housing Strategy which aims to provide a vision for the future of Welsh housing and a clear policy framework. The goal is to ensure homes are in a good state of repair, while also focusing on improving the condition of the surrounding neighbourhood.
In order to achieve these goals the Welsh Assembly Government has introduced the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS); Wales’s equivalent of England’s Decent Homes Standard, where social landlords have the same deadline of 2012 to deliver the improvements.
Another key issue in the area is that of stock transfers. Only one organisation in Wales has undertaken a stock transfer so far, which led to an employment drive in order to meet the WHQS.
A number of other local authorities are currently working towards a stock transfer and subsequently require more employees - as specific teams are often set up as they work towards a potential stock transfer.
Currently, Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC & Monmouth CC are moving forward quite quickly, with C&C of Swansea and Torfean CBC also close to a potential stock transfer. It is also likely this will strengthen the popularity of fixed term and interim contracts - as employers look to employ professionals on a particular project or solely for the duration of the merger.
Who's in demand?
This activity, combined with the potential stock transfers, means that there is a high demand for experienced staff. As a result, employers have had to look more closely at their recruitment techniques and develop innovative methods and employment packages in order to attract suitable staff.
Currently, housing officers, housing assistants, tenancy support workers and housing law caseworkers are in particular demand.
Professionals with at least three years' housing experience and formal housing qualifications are highly sought after across the region. This is due to a combination of the ever increasing workloads within social housing and a growing skills shortage.
Money matters
Despite this increased demand for social housing professionals, the focus has largely been on the overall employment package and salaries have only experienced steady increases.
For example, a senior housing officer in Wales can command a salary between £20-25,000 and a housing officer can typically earn £18,000 in a generic housing role. We have recently placed a candidate in the role of head of housing strategy.
The chosen candidate possessed over 20 years' management experience within social housing and subsequently commanded a substantial salary and benefits package. In contrast to permanent salaries, hourly rates for temporary workers continue to rise sharply as demand outstrips supply and workers realise that they are in a strong position.
It is an extremely positive time for social housing professionals in Wales, with employers always keen to meet suitable candidates. We expect the buoyancy to continue over the next six years, as the initiatives set out by the Welsh Assembly Government start to gather pace.
For further information please contact Steve Peake, Regional Manager for Hays Social Housing, on 029 2046 2255.
