Northern Ireland’s social housing sector is emerging as a major economic engine and a growing destination for talent, employing 3,459 staff across Northern Ireland - an increase of 99 roles in the past year - and contributing £98.6 million in wages and salaries to the local economy.
The milestone is being marked during the first-ever NI Social Housing Week, as industry leaders make a direct pitch to graduates and aspiring professionals to explore the wide range of career opportunities housing associations offer.
The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) took that message to Queen's University Belfast this week, speaking to students about their future career plans. Izzie Hayes, a recent appointment to NIFHA’s communications team and Queen’s graduate, was excited to be back on campus:
“I was in the same position not long ago, wrapping up my degree and trying to figure out what direction to go in. I didn’t know a huge amount about the social housing sector at the time, but since joining I’ve really enjoyed it,”
“I work with many of the housing associations across the region, and what stood out to me straight away is how welcoming and collaborative the sector is, and how many people tend to stay and build long-term careers once they get in. It’s been great to see how varied the roles are and how much impact the work genuinely has on local communities.”
At the Queen’s recruitment event, students were able to hear first-hand about the benefits of working in the sector. Connie Woods, a Business Management student at Queen’s currently undertaking a marketing and communications placement with Choice Housing, said:
“Like Izzie, I didn’t know much about the housing sector before my placement, but it’s been such an eye-opening experience. Marketing and comms here is much more hands-on - you’re meeting tenants, hearing their stories, and seeing the real impact social housing has on people’s lives. It’s made me really passionate about the sector, and I’d love to build a career here after I graduate.”
The sector is attracting talent from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, with growing demand across marketing and communications, procurement, finance, digital, sustainability, and frontline housing roles.
Interested in joining the sector? Current vacancies can be found on NIFHA’s job board here: https://nifha.org/jobs/
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