Housing Associations

While local authorities are the major employers of housing managers there are also opportunities with Housing Associations, a few private property owners, and Housing Aid or Advice Centres. Housing Associations are non-profit making organisations which provide both new and improved houses to rent. They are very largely financed by the Housing Corporation, a government sponsored body, or by local authorities. Housing Associations vary greatly in size and type, and include cooperative and self-build groups as well as those providing accommodation at fair rents, sometimes for particular categories of tenant such as the elderly, the disabled or single parents. Some Housing Associations notify vacancies direct to universities or polytechnics; alternatively you should look in the local or national press or 'Voluntary Housing' the monthly magazine of the National Federation of Housing Associations, or enquire of individual Housing Associations direct.

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Law

Many Chief Executives in local government have qualified as solicitors (most of the rest have qualified as accountants). Larger authorities regularly offer articled clerkships to trainee solicitors. Work includes all aspects of property and planning, a range of litigation and commercial contracts and enforcement of consumer protection and environmental health Legislation. More senior posts often involve a lot of general administration. (Legal Profession)

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litigation

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Leisure and Recreation

This is a growth area, but despite the recognition by local authorities of the need for expansion of sports and leisure centres, playing fields, parks, swimming pools etc, vacancies are few and graduates may have to start at a comparatively lowly level. Qualifications in Recreation Management are increasingly looked for. (Leisure and Recreation)

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Libraries

Here again you need a professional qualification which requires a first degree in Librarianship or a one year postgraduate diploma plus recognised experience. Many local authorities have cut back on expenditure on libraries in recent years affecting both book stocks and staffing levels. (Library Information and Archive Work)

Museums

There is great competition for few vacancies in the 400-500 local authority museums. You generally need a postgraduate qualification to get in and then study for the Museums Association Diploma. (Museums and Art Galleries)

Personnel

Local authorities employ large staffs: personnel staff deal with their recruitment, training, industrial relations, salary administration, manpower planning, employee services and records. Graduates with work experience and some maturity are the most likely recruits for personnel. (Personnel Work)

Planning

The majority of graduates in planning who are successful in finding relevant work obtain their first jobs with local authorities. Postgraduate qualifications are virtually essential for non-planning graduates. Recruitment at present is very restricted. (Town and County Planning)

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 954