“The social responsibility of a company extends beyond making profits – it should also strive to create value for its employees and be part of the community.” – Jack Welch, Former Chairman and CEO of General Electric.
Every year, housing associations across the UK spend millions of pounds on social responsibility and CSR initiatives. But what if there was a way to achieve your CSR goals and make a real difference in people’s lives at the same time?
Employability programs are one of the most effective ways to do this. By investing in somebody’s future, you can help them break the cycle of unemployment and empower them to build a better life for themselves and their families. In doing so, you can also help create more productive, engaged citizens who contribute positively to society. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
What is social responsibility and why is it important for Housing Associations to have a CSR agenda
Social responsibility is an exciting opportunity for Housing Associations to demonstrate the values that they strive to promote through their work. It involves taking responsibility for the impact their activities have on society and the environment, championing sustainability and striving for continual improvement. A strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda allows Housing Associations to continually evaluate their practices to ensure that they are having a positive influence on the community. It should also enable the Association to distinguish itself from the competition by promoting ethical and sustainable behaviour in areas such as working conditions, diversity and equality policies, education initiatives, climate change policies and more. Having a proactive CSR approach can position the Association favourably among customers, investors and other stakeholders – fostering trust in its services while supporting local community growth. In this way, not only will social responsibility create short-term advantages but it can also serve as a long-term engine of success for any Housing Association.
How can employability programs help Housing Associations achieve their social responsibility goals
Employability programs are a fantastic way for housing associations to help ensure that vulnerable members of their community have access to the necessary qualifications and skills they need to gain successful employment. By providing onsite job training, career counselling services, and job search assistance, these organisations can promote economic independence while playing an active role in reducing poverty levels within their local area. Employability programs can also provide individuals with the opportunity to build meaningful relationships through volunteering, mentoring, and networking activities; all of which can nurture a sense of purpose amongst those who are looking for ways to make a positive contribution to society. For housing associations keen on achieving their social responsibility goals, investing in employability initiatives is an impactful way to boost local economies and make sure people get the tools they need for future success.
What are some examples of successful employability programs that have helped Housing Associations achieve their CSR agendas
Employability programs are an effective way for Housing Associations to strategically address their corporate social responsibility agendas. Such initiatives focus on helping those in the community who may be struggling to gain employment opportunities due to personal circumstances or structural barriers. For example, the National Room Improvement Project, which was launched by Westminster City Council and Streetspotr, offers residents free room decoration materials that not only improve living conditions but also provide them with skills training in various craft-making workshops, allowing them to increase their current employability and job aspirations. Another successful program is Edinburgh EmployAbility, set up by City of Edinburgh Council with support from local charities such as Enable Scotland, which helps disabled people acquire jobs by teaching them essential skills such as communication methods and interviewing techniques. Now more than 21 organisations across Scotland participate in this program and have seen a noticeable decrease in unemployment rates within the area. These proven examples show that effective employability programs can be powerful tools for housing associations in making meaningful contributions towards a CSR agenda – leading to improved living conditions and equity-based job opportunities for those within the communities they serve.
How can Housing Associations get started with implementing employability programs to help them achieve their social responsibility goals
Housing Associations play a tremendous role in delivering quality services to residents and it stands to reason that providing support for their employability needs must also be part of the mandate. Offering schooling or training opportunities, such as helping to build digital skills, can give residents the confidence and experience they need to find better-paid employment. These programs can also help shape a community culture that values the importance of education. Employability programs should be demand-led, with clear objectives that are tailored towards the needs of an area’s population. A solid evaluation process should be implemented as part of this program in order to understand its impact and continually review how it is performing against key indicators. With careful planning and guidance, Housing Associations have the potential to kickstart important initiatives that integrate education and boost local employability opportunities – all while taking on social responsibility goals.
Conclusion
Employability programs are one way for Housing Associations to take on social responsibility and help their local communities. By partnering with employability program providers, businesses can help individuals in their community get the skills and training they need to be successful in today’s economy. These programs not only improve the lives of individuals and families but also help Housing Associations achieve their social responsibility goals. If you’re interested in learning more about how your Association can improve employability opportunities for your residents, sign up for our freemium package today. You’ll also receive access to resources and tools that will help you get started.