The fund allows one young person a year to take their first steps into a career in Housing, providing them with the valuable combination of an academic qualification coupled with practical experience.

Tia has been a member of a WSHA household in Barrowfield, Glasgow, for much of her life. As recipient of the fund, Tia will complete a fully-funded Introduction to Housing qualification from Chartered Institute of Housing, which she will undertake between June and October this year.

Alongside studying for her qualification, Tia will spend 16 weeks at WSHA’s head office in Barrowfield, where she will spend time learning from colleagues across the organisation, gaining insight into the range and variety of careers available in the housing sector. During this time, she will be mentored by a member of WSHA staff, who will be on hand to make sure she is learning as much as possible and getting real-world insight into the sector.

Other benefits include Chartered Institute of Housing membership for the year, which provides access to events, training and networking opportunities, and a free, year-long membership of SHARE, the leading provider of training to the social housing sector.

On receiving the fund, Tia said: “The Irene Robertson fund is a great opportunity for me. I was brought up in social housing so I know what a difference getting a social home can make to people. You are part of a community and your neighbours are like family; we are always helping each other out.

“I really enjoy helping people and that’s what drew me towards Housing as a career. In WSHA there are so many ways to help people, from getting them settled into a new home to making sure their repairs get done, or making sure they have furniture to make their house feel like home. I’m excited for all I’m going to learn.”

During her time with WSHA, Tia will be mentored by housing officer Suzanne Quigley, who has been with WSHA for over 20 years working across both Development and Housing Services departments.

Speaking of Tia and the Qualification Fund, Suzanne Quigley, added: “The Irene Robertson Fund is an excellent entry to working in housing and we’re delighted to have Tia as our first trainee. Tia is very motivated and already showing great understanding of what we do here at WSHA. Over the next few months she’ll be gaining a huge amount of knowledge and experience between her studies and the practical experience gained during her placement. All I can say is that she should immerse herself in all of it.’   

She also offered some advice for those looking to get a step into a career working in the housing sector, adding: “Housing has a great range of opportunities, but there isn’t always a clear route into the sector. Taking on a temporary role or apprenticeship is a good first step, and then there are also many levels of housing qualification for those who wish to get more involved too.”

To support pathways into a housing career, Chartered Institute of Housing’s current campaign, Choose Housing, provides a range of resources and practical guidance on how to raise awareness of the career opportunities the housing sector provides. More information is available on their website: https://www.cih.org/knowledge-hub/professionalism-and-training/choose-housing/

Callum Chomczuk, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s national director for Scotland congratulated Tia on starting her internship and said: “The Irene Robertson Qualification Fund is a brilliant initiative. It pays tribute to a dedicated housing professional who was committed to lifelong learning and it provides a great opportunity for a young person to make their mark in housing.”

Tia will complete her Chartered Institute of Housing qualification and placement with WSHA in October 2025.