National and regional studies, including the Egan review of skills for sustainable communities, have highlighted the shortage of staff with appropriate qualities and qualifications to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

This is a particular issue in the housing sector, where there is a need for new recruits with a knowledge of strategy, communities, the economy and the physical environment.

Case study illustrating how, faced with a shortage of skilled staff, housing organisations in Merseyside are beginning to ‘grow their own workforce’ by training graduates in the specialist and generic skills required to build sustainable communities. The study highlights the Compass Regeneration Academy training scheme that has been set up for this purpose.

In spring 2005 a consortium of housing agencies in Merseyside launched Compass Regeneration Academy, a training scheme to provide a supply of skilled and experienced graduates who could fill vacancies within the partner organisations. The aim of the academy is to invest in the ‘stars of tomorrow’ while encouraging trainees to remain in the region.

The programme encompasses both formal and informal learning: there is accredited study leading to a level 4 or 5 qualification from the City and Guilds Institute of Leadership and Management, and practical help such as job shadowing and mentoring.

The programme is now moving into its second phase, and building regional and national links with centres of expertise, including the Academy for Sustainable Communities. The restriction of the training scheme to graduates has been removed in order to make the scheme more inclusive.

Learning points include:

Those training for careers in the creation of sustainable communities.

Initial funding of £100,367 for 2005-6, resources of the partner housing organisations and additional support from regional organisations such as Government Office for the North West and RENEW North West.

Compass Regeneration Academy Merseyside
Helen Jamieson (Programme Manager), tel. +44 (0)151 703 2054

//2005

case

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Training

Training for new professions