Empowering me to do better – Mavis' Story
At The Learning Foundry, we are privileged to welcome talented, passionate individuals join us to take the next step into their career. We caught up with our Level 3 Housing and Property Management apprentice and Tenant Sustainment Coordinator, Mavis, after her recent article with Inside Housing, to hear about how her passion for her role is helping her make changes in the housing sector and advance in her career.
“I am passionate about safeguarding and supporting tenants. That’s why I got involved with Inside Housing’s Forum Panel, and why I decided to do a qualification in housing.
“I wanted training because I wanted to progress. I enjoy my job, but I want to keep learning and growing.
“The course has helped me, but it has been interesting along the way. That’s why doing workshops alongside my day job is making my life easier because it helps me to take a step back, see the regulation in practice in what I’m doing. The course is empowering me to do my job better.
“I was on a workshop yesterday and I could really see how everything I am doing links together with what is going on. I am confident that the course is giving me what I need to know.
“Being on the course with The Learning Foundry and on the Inside Housing Forum gives me the opportunity to interact with people in a range of different roles and paths within housing and learn from them.
“When I am writing reports at work, I speak to professionals from other housing associations, I visit other housing associations’ properties. I was passionate to see how others are working to see what I can do better. I am passionate to see how others are working to see what I can do better.
“That gives my company a good reputation because people see that we care and they will be safe and looked after with us. But it means I can support other professionals, police, environmental health, social care to help tenants.
“So many skills are needed to do my job – care, compassion, being a good listener - and being able to challenge. You’ve got to be on the ball all the time.
“When I first started a career in housing, I wasn’t sure it was what I wanted to do. I’d come from working in retail and was weighing up whether to take a role in housing or insurance. I made the right choice.
“I want to progress. As soon as I have finished my Level 3 programme I’ll be starting my Level 4, and then 5. Learning with The Learning Foundry is an opportunity that’s absolutely different from going to school. And I like it that way. There is space for interactions, conversations in breakout rooms and there is always chance to open to ask questions. I don’t like it when people keep talking at me. I end up not learning anything!
“My colleagues are coming to me with questions about training, one colleague in a different department asked me to speak to other people in my company about TLF. I told her about all the support I get, the flexibility, the great balance. People thinking about a qualification should do it!”
Well done, Mavis. It is inspiring for us to welcome such passionate, dedicated professionals into The Learning Foundry. We look forward to supporting you on your Level 4 and 5!