Tenant training e-learning partnership breaks new ground in housing sector
The Housing e-Academy, part of online training pioneer Virtual College, is celebrating both the success of a flagship tenant training initiative and an influx of new members.
The Housing e-Academy, which is driving forward adoption of e-learning within the UK housing sector, is celebrating the success of a flagship tenant training pilot project in Lancashire.
Working in partnership with the north-west region of national housing provider, Accent Group Ltd, the Housing e-Academy has delivered online training designed to equip a group of tenants in Burnley with new skills to help them improve both the quality of their lives and employment prospects.
Ten Accent tenants who volunteered to participate in the pilot project were given free Internet access at local community centres and housing offices to three online courses - Fire Safety, Introduction to Health & Safety, and Manual Handling. They have now been presented with certificates after successfully completing the courses.
Resident Imran Mushtaq, a member of the pilot group, said: “ The e-learning modules were very easy to do and could also be completed very quickly. I am convinced the courses will help me find a new, better job.”
Emma Chadwick, Work Based Learning Manager with Accent Community Partnerships, commented: “Feedback from residents to the pilot programme has been extremely positive and we have now secured funding to deliver e-learning to another 300 Accent residents. Burnley will again take the lead, though the programme will now be rolled out to our tenants nationwide.”
Chloe Weatherhead, Manager of the Housing e-Academy, based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, said: “Accent has already enjoyed huge success through the adoption of e-learning by its own staff. The follow-up tenant training project reinforces the organisation’s commitment to harnessing the latest technology and developing the potential of online learning.
“Engaging tenants in this way is both innovative and pioneering and I was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the pilot group. All those involved said they were open to future training opportunities through e-learning in order to boost their prospects.
“Accent Group has recognised the role that it can play in enabling tenants to build confidence, improve their IT literacy and develop transferable skills that will put them ahead of the competition when applying for jobs.
“As a direct result of this project and ahead of its roll-out to a wider tenant base, we have now improved the e-learning system to enable tenants to self-register, so minimising demands on staff resources.”
Representatives from Accent Group will be talking about their experiences of tenant training at a free “e-Enabling Tenant Engagement” event being run for housing providers by the Housing e-Academy in Bradford on Tuesday, May 26. The future of tenant training in general is also on the agenda. Places can be booked through Chloe Weatherhead on 01943 605976, e-mail [email protected]
NEW MEMBERS BOOST
The Housing e-Academy’s impact and growth continues to gather momentum. Membership now stands at 14 after five new housing associations joined the organisation in March.
They are Mendip Housing, based in Shepton Mallet, Somerset; Howard Cottage Housing, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire; Pennine Housing 2000, Halifax, Calderdale; Prospect Housing Group, East Lancashire; and Nottingham Community Housing Association.
Lisa Satterthwaite, HR Manager with Howard Cottage Housing, said: “We are looking forward to working with the Housing e-Academy as they offer a flexible package which means that staff can dip in and out of the training without too much disruption to their working day. It also enables me to track everyone's progress so I can offer support where needed.”
Chloe Weatherhead added: ““We will be working closely with Howard Cottage through roll-out and beyond to ensure that e-learning becomes a staple component of their training strategy.
“All e-Academy members have access a range of sector specific, induction and signposting courses, providing flexible, accessible and efficient training to their staff, board members, contractors and tenants.”
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