Promoting housing as a career of choice: Reflections from CIH Futures NI at the NISCA Autumn Conference 

Iain Gillespie, business support manager at NIHE and chair of CIH Futures Northern Ireland, reflects on his trip to the NISCA Autumn Conference.

On 20 November, I joined Julie Steele and Micheál McSwiggan at the Northern Ireland Schools & Colleges Careers Association (NISCA) Autumn Conference in La Mon Hotel and Country Club. We were there alongside the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), the sector’s largest employer, and together we had the opportunity to talk with careers teachers from across Northern Ireland about housing as a career of choice.

Armed with materials from the CHOOSE HOUSING campaign — which was launched by now former CIH president Elly Hoult — we spent the day speaking with a steady stream of careers advisers. What stood out wasn’t just curiosity: it was a genuine interest in how young people can get into the sector and the different routes available.

What teachers were asking about 

Across our conversations throughout the day, a few topics kept coming up:

• Entry routes into housing 
• Earning and learning – CIH qualifications that support early career development 
• Apprenticeship options 
• The wide range of roles available across the sector. 

Many teachers were surprised by how broad housing actually is, covering everything from community-based roles to policy, asset management, homelessness services, planning, governance, and more. 

There was also strong interest in pathways for students who may not choose university as their next step. Apprenticeships and early-career programmes sparked a lot of discussion, and teachers welcomed materials to take back and share with their pupils.

New connections and opportunities 

One of the real positives from the day was the number of invitations we received to visit schools, deliver talks, take part in upcoming careers events, and host workshops. These were genuine requests from teachers who want their students to hear directly from people working in housing. 

It reinforced how important it is for us to be visible in these settings. When we connect with those who guide young people’s career decisions, it’s clear that the value and purpose of a housing career resonates strongly.

Our reflections and looking ahead 

This was our first time attending the NISCA conference, so we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We left feeling genuinely encouraged and glad we made the trip. The conversations were worthwhile, the interest was real, and the connections made will be so important as we continue to promote housing as a meaningful and rewarding career choice. 

The response at NISCA also showed that interest in housing careers is growing — and that there’s a real opportunity for Futures NI to build on this momentum. Looking ahead, we’ll be strengthening links with schools and colleges, supporting teachers with practical information, getting involved in future conferences and workshops, and continuing to showcase the huge variety and purpose-driven nature of our profession. 

There’s lots more to come, so watch this space!