On checking the recruitment pages last week, it was striking that at that moment, many of the posts advertised were in assets, repairs, and maintenance, with vacancies across all levels and geographical areas. This is not a new issue, many of Share’s members have talked about the difficulties in hiring maintenance staff for some time now, but in seeing the number advertised this past week, it is perhaps an issue coming to a head.

As the established and accredited learning and development partner for the sector, Share’s priority is to be able to offer the training, qualifications, and development needed to help ensure the sector can develop and retain its’ repairs and maintenance talent.
With former repairs and factoring professionals on Share’s staff team, we understand the difficulties that these skills set presents. Advancing in this area requires detailed multi-trades knowledge, contract management and procurement experience and, given the nature of the job, skills in managing customer expectations and complaints. Weaving through all of this must be the dedication to customer service that is central to the ethos of associations. It is a multi-faceted and demanding set of skills, in a job that can often be relentless in its demands.

Share have four different qualification routes on offer for staff in maintenance:

• CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance and Asset Management
• CIH Level 4 Certificate in Managing Housing Maintenance
• Understanding Building and Managing Repairs (City and Guilds Assured Programme)
• ILM Level 3 Award in Technical Management

Each of these qualifications consider different aspects of the repairs and maintenance context and are pitched at a variety of levels to ensure that there is learning suitable for everyone contributing to the delivery of your repairs and maintenance services. All these qualifications are open for booking in the next few months. Share also have two new qualifications on development and customer service in the pipeline to further bolster the support we offer to this part of the sector.

Nevertheless, Share recognises that they are not at the coalface with this issue, and members and customers know best the support they need. If you would like to get in touch to discuss the learning and development needs for your repair’s role, or for members of your team, please contact jcloherty@share.org.uk for an informal chat. Share will always use their decades of experience and extensive accreditation partnerships to provide the best possible offering to support your team.