North East Housing Providers to launch employment programme

A group of North East Housing Providers have come together to develop a regional employment partnership for people living in social and supported housing.

Housing Employment Network North East, which is set to launch in April, is an ambitious and innovative partnership that offers a region-wide approach to employability, aiming to break down employment barriers and maximise opportunities for residents and local communities.

The collaboration is a partnership between Tyne Housing, Gentoo Group, North Star Housing, Your Homes Newcastle, Jonnie Johnson Housing, Karbon Homes, Home Group, Livin Housing, Bernicia Homes, Believe Housing, Beyond Housing, Oasis Community Housing and Thirteen Group.

As registered providers of social housing to hundreds of thousands of people, and with roots in communities regionwide, the partners claim they provide the potential for direct access to a local labour market for employers.

By collaborating in this way, the housing providers will engage with employers, supply chain contractors and training providers to directly share opportunities and maximise social value impact for the benefit of the region as a whole.

So far, the initiative has been led by Tyne Housing, which provides support, housing and healthcare for people who have been excluded from mainstream services. However, all 13 partners have now agreed to jointly invest in the programme in order to add value to their current offer to tenants, residents and communities by providing access to valuable employment opportunities.

Steve McKinlay, chief executive of Tyne Housing, said: “We’re thrilled to be joining forces across the region to make a real difference in our communities and support our residents in finding good employment.

“Housing Employment Network North East is going to be a fantastic programme that will provide a simple link between employers, vacancies and local people, as well as offering training and development to ensure they have the skills needed for the vacancies available.”

Steve added: “We believe that everyone deserves the chance to get to a better place, and for some this means securing a good job. This new programme will help many of our residents and I look forward to seeing the impact it has across the region.”