Glasgow Caledonian University becomes an SFHA Sector Associate

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), named UK's Modern University of the Year 2025, is delighted to announce its new status as a sector associate of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), strengthening its commitment to supporting Scotland’s housing sector. This partnership reinforces GCU's desire to engage with SFHA members to upskill their current and future workforce, as well as broaden knowledge exchange and research collaborations within the housing sector in Scotland.

Expanding Work-Based Learning Opportunities

GCU is Scotland’s largest provider of Graduate Apprenticeships (GA’s), with over 1000 current apprentices allowing employees to earn a degree while gaining practical experience in their field. Fully funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), SFHA members can access industry-focused learning opportunities that align with the specific needs of the housing sector. Apprenticeships provide a valuable pathway for housing associations to upskill & reskill the workforce, address skills shortages, and improve employee retention and productivity. 

The diverse range of apprenticeships offered by GCU will provide SFHA members with opportunities to enhance workforce skills in key areas crucial to the housing sector and includes Graduate Apprenticeships in:

• BA (Hons) Business Management – These programmes provide housing professionals with strategic leadership, people management, operational management, and decision-making skills, enabling them to drive service improvements, and enhance tenant engagement. This Business Management GA also has a specialist HR Management route including CIPD accreditation, ideal for those pursuing a career or working in Human Resources. 
   
• MAcc Masters of Accountancy – In partnership with ACCA, this dual award includes a Masters qualification (SCQF Level 11) from GCU, and Certified Chartered Accountant status through ACCA. The MAcc includes a well-designed module structure and seeks to strengthen the financial planning, budgeting, and regulatory compliance capability of housing associations, ensuring financial sustainability while maximising appropriate investment in housing stock and community services.
   
• BSc (Hons) AI & Data Science and BSc (Hons) Software Development – Designed to empower housing associations to leverage data analytics and automation to optimise operations, enhance tenant digital services, and support evidence-based decision-making for long-term planning. Participants will learn coding practices from DevOps and agile-based methods to artificial intelligence solutions to resolve issues. 
   
• MSc Cyber Security and BSc (Hons) Cyber Security – Enhances housing associations’ ability to safeguard sensitive tenant data, maintain regulatory compliance, and protect digital infrastructure from evolving cyber threats, ensuring trust and security for communities.
   
• BSc (Hons) Construction and Built Environment (Quantity Surveying) – Equips housing professionals with expertise in cost planning, procurement, contract management, and sustainable construction. This ensures that housing associations can efficiently manage development and maintenance costs while delivering high-quality, energy-efficient, and sustainable housing projects on time and within budget.

Graduate Apprenticeships are delivered as hybrid teaching, offering a high level of flexibility for participants and employers which minimising the impact on their workload and time away from work. An ‘apprentice’ whilst transforming their career prospects and organisational growth, will be supported through one-to-one mentoring and a three-way partnership involving the apprentice, university and employer. 

The team at GCU is delighted to see many Housing Associations benefiting from developing talent in areas including AI & Data Science, Cyber Security, Accounting and Business Management. 

Alana Durnin, CEO of Cloch Housing Association, outlines the rationale behind supporting her staff through Graduate Apprenticeships: “As part of our business planning and strategic aims to increase employability and training opportunities for staff, GCU’s Graduate Apprenticeships have allowed the opportunity for us to integrate the skills and knowledge we need now, but will absolutely rely on in the future. The GA programmes at GCU have allowed us to address succession planning challenges across a number of job roles in different sections of our business.  The benefits are clear and the new knowledge and applied learning not only develops our graduates but also supports service improvements both internally and for our stakeholders.” 

Knowledge Exchange, Research, and Innovation for the Housing Sector in Scotland

Beyond apprenticeships, GCU offers a wealth of expertise in research and knowledge exchange that can benefit the housing sector. From sustainability and energy efficiency to digital transformation and community wellbeing, GCU’s research teams are actively engaged in projects that address key challenges faced by housing associations, demonstrating alignment with SFHA's strategic themes.

Andrew Campbell, Strategic Business Development Specialist and lead for Graduate Apprenticeships at Glasgow Caledonian University explained: “We’re delighted to become a ‘Sector Associate’ member of SFHA, this is an exciting opportunity for members to engage in funded reskilling and upskilling through our portfolio of GA programmes, as well as explore knowledge exchange opportunities. We have globally recognised capability at GCU, and we’re here to support innovation and deliver social and economic impact both regionally and nationally, this is an encouraging step forward in strengthening relationships between GCU and Scotland’s housing sector.”