Housing Association grows its own talent with course for aspiring managers

Midland Heart has signed a major deal with University College Birmingham that will see the housing association’s future leaders and managers enrolled on to apprenticeships.

It is the second year the two organisations have worked in partnership to deliver the Aspiring Managers programme and talks are ongoing about developing a long-term strategic contract with numbers increasing year on year.

Baljinder Kang, Midland Heart’s Executive Director of HR and Learning, said

For us, it is about growing our own talent strategy so we are absolutely committed to making sure we invest in the next cohort of future managers and leaders.

This is the second year of the programme and what we are hoping to do is grow our own future managers and leaders. The course offers our staff an exciting opportunity to develop their managerial or leadership skills on the journey to take up their first managerial post.

Dilshad Sheikh, Dean of UCB’s Business School, said

We have been working with Midland Heart for the past 12 months and it is an absolute privilege to be working with them again.

I am delighted we are able to contribute to the development of their future leaders and managers and I look forward to cementing our partnership even further.

UCB’s Vice-chancellor & Principal, Professor Ray Linforth, signing the contract with Baljinder Kang.

A team leader is a first line management role with operational responsibilities, providing direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of goals.  The 12-month course covers topics including leading and managing people, building relationships, project management and finance.

Baljinder added

Out of last year’s cohort of 18 we have had six secure their first managerial or leadership role already, which is a great achievement.

We have 26 on the programme this year and there has been a lot of interest in places. We’re really excited about our partnership with UCB because it’s helping us develop the future of Midland Heart.

Shuborne Daley, Housing Management Team Leader, Midland Heart, was among the first cohort to complete the course. She said:

The course has taught me that there is theory in so many things and more so in leadership. The course sits really well if you are acting up within a role or taking on more responsibilities and gives you the knowledge to understand the role of a team leader.

You also learn a great deal about yourself and realise your potential.