Investigating new landscapes of training for work: the extended role of housing associations. A report of findings.

Abstract

Housing Associations (HAs) are increasingly expected to engage with the Government’s Work Programme and to provide employment training for their tenants, a majority of whom are unemployed. Operating in the space between the state, labour market and society, HAs are now at the heart of the employment and skills agenda. However, little research has focused on this new landscape of training for work or on the experiences and expectations of HA tenants engaging in such training. This report stems from a wider research project aimed at providing better understanding of the role of HAs, the social processes and outcomes of training for work and, more broadly, the impacts of current policy interventions intended to engender social inclusion and ensure welfare to work. This report draws on the experiences of training providers and tenants participating in training provision.