With nearly 15,000 people employed across the sector, professionals across the country are expected to welcome the chance to fully unlock their job potential.

As the housing and property market faces a host of major challenges, workers can now exploit the membership shake-up at Share, which has dominated education and training in housing for almost 40 years.

Daryl McIntosh, chief executive with Share, said: “For a membership organisation, what we are doing is radical – and it is brilliant news for everyone who works in the sector and who cares about their own professional and personal development.

“Until now, those who wanted to unlock significant career opportunities were dependent on someone else – usually their employers - to give them the nod to undertake training, networking or accreditation.

“We are transforming this, by opening up membership to individuals for the first time in decades. Previously only organisations could be members of Share, so the move to individual membership is a complete game changer.”

Scotland’s housing and property sector has never been more in the public spotlight – with social landlords and councils struggling to meet demand, the private rental sector under greater scrutiny than ever and housebuilders constantly testing the limits of the planning system.

Daryl said every section of the industry is also feeling the effects of the financial squeeze and added: “There has never been greater pressure on the housing sector and that means ever-increasing demands on the workforce. All of which means that training and professional development is more vital than ever.”

Founded in 1985 in Glasgow, Share works across Scotland and delivered more than 350 training courses last year, providing accreditations on partners including CIH, City & Guilds, SQA, ILM, The Institute of Leadership and IRPM.

However, despite being the leading educational body for Scotland’s housing sector, until now membership was only available to organisations. Now the shake-up means that, for just £150 a year, individuals can join.

Membership gives them access to an incredible trove of top-tier qualifications at discounted rates, a customised e-learning platform, as well as comprehensive support resources.

Daryl said: “For the first time those working in housing can now take their development into their own hands. It is incredibly empowering for those who value professional and personal development.

“However, it is also potentially brilliant news for the entire sector. These are challenging times in housing and that is when you most need a well-equipped and motivated workforce. Those with the most up-to-date knowledge and expertise can tackle any challenges the industry can throw at them.”

The move is part of a raft of exciting changes underway at Share, which is a registered charity that invests all profits back into its services and builds on its values of being supportive, passionate, and excellent in all that it does.

After 40 years of serving housing associations and co-operatives, Share is also broadening into the private rental arena, to help the sector prepare for increasing legal requirements and to improve services.

Against the backdrop of challenges right across the housing and property sectors, membership gives access to discounted courses, qualifications, and events. It also provides access to Share’s dedicated e-learning platform, which contains hundreds of courses which count towards an individual’s continuous professional development (CPD)..

All of the qualifications and training programmes are at the cutting edge of housing training aimed at enhancing skills, governance and individual development.

Details of Share’s membership options can be found here.