FOCUS : HOUSING Entering the housing profession Apprenticeships The professional body for the housing industry, the Chartered Institute of Housing (www.cih.org) offers lots of different qualifications for people wanting to get started in housing or develop their career further. For school leavers, apprenticeships are the best way to get first-hand experience of the industry - at intermediate level as a housing assistant or advanced level as a housing support officer. Both of these apprenticeships give you an NVQ Certificate in Housing as well as other related certificates, at the same time as a wage (see www.apprenticeships.org.uk). Traineeships Many housing associations offer trainee schemes for graduates who want to join the industry. These one to two-year programmes allow you to develop 0 9 6 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S WHERE ARE THE HOUSING JOBS? * Housing associations * Local authorities * Voluntary organisations * Housing trusts * Housing co-operatives * Private sector and commercial bodies * Social services well-rounded experience and knowledge of housing and earn a competitive salary. Conversion courses If you don't have a relevant degree or work experience, you can still look for work in the industry, but you'll have