A group of Glasgow housing organisations is giving 12 young people a bright start to 2007 as paid housing apprentices. Five organisations, which form the East End Housing Association's Regeneration Forum (EEHARF), along with seven other local housing organisations in the area, will each provide one young person with an 18-month paid modern apprenticeship in administration in the housing sector, at £180 a week.
The Modern Apprenticeship scheme has been developed in partnership between Glasgow North Limited and EEHARF. Young people will undertake various roles, ranging from finance to human resources, ensuring they gain a sound knowledge and practical experience in all aspects of administration in housing. They will also work towards gaining a Level Three SVQ in Administration.
The Modern Apprenticeships scheme will be managed by EEHARF and Tollcross HA, and will run from January 2007. The project is funded with £118,000 from the European Social Fund, £72,000 from Communities Scotland, £37,000 from the two local Community Planning Partnerships and £35,000 from Glasgow Housing Association.
The five housing associations involved are: Parkhead HA, Shettleston HA, Tollcross HA, Thenew HA and Milnbank HA.
The head of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), Michael Lennon, is to leave after almost four years as Chief Executive. A spokesperson for the Association said it had been agreed with Mr Lennon that it was "a logical point in the lifespan of the project" for him to stand down. The decision came amid doubts cast over plans for second stage transfer from the Association to smaller organisations.
Michael Lennon returned to Scotland in 2003 after 30 years in the southern hemisphere, where he emigrated when he was 17. His career has encompassed a number of executive leadership positions in a wide range of public agencies associated with housing, planning and urban development. He has also worked extensively in the private sector.
Before joining GHA, he was Chief Executive of the Housing New Zealand Corporation in Wellington, having been appointed in April 2000. This is New Zealand's largest public sector organisation with 700 staff spread over 42 business units, and an annual budget of over £200 million.
He also led the restructuring of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, a consortium of 12 Universities with State and Commonwealth governments - now Australia's largest social science research body.
He was adjunct Professor in Urban Policy at the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia.
English Partnerships announced that its Chief Executive, John Callcutt, is to leave after just six months in the post. He has been seconded for about 12 months to carry out a review that will report on the challenges for the development industry to build more eco-friendly homes.
As part of a major review by the Communities and Local Government Department into its housing and regeneration delivery, English Partnerships is likely to be merged with the Housing Corporation.
