Key Points
- Wheatley Group housing association supports employability initiatives providing pupils with meaningful work exposure through training and placements.
- Programmes target young people aged 16-25 not in education or employment, offering apprenticeships, work experience and skills development.
- Changing Lives programme has enabled participants like Suayip from Edinburgh to secure full-time roles with Wheatley Homes East.
- Wheatley Pledge encourages partners to create apprenticeships, jobs and internships for residents in disadvantaged communities.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 17, 2026 – A major housing association has endorsed a youth employability programme designed to give pupils meaningful exposure to the world of work through structured training and placements.
The initiative focuses on young people facing barriers to employment, equipping them with essential skills and real-world experience to progress into apprenticeships or full-time jobs. Wheatley Group, which manages homes across Glasgow and beyond, backs several schemes under its employability umbrella.
What programmes does the housing association support?
Wheatley Group delivers targeted employability projects including Environmental Roots, a four-week pre-employability training course leading to environmental apprenticeships or Changing Lives placements. The Changing Lives programme provides a one-year placement with training in first aid and a Chartered Institute of Housing level 2 qualification, according to details on the Wheatley Works employability page.
As reported by Wheatley Group of Wheatley Homes Glasgow, the Wheatley Pledge scheme urges contractors and suppliers to generate new apprenticeship opportunities, job openings and work experience including internships for tenants in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
How have participants benefited from these initiatives?
Success stories highlight the programmes’ impact, with participants transitioning to stable employment. Suayip, 55, from Edinburgh, completed the Changing Lives programme and now works full-time with Wheatley Homes East, cutting grass, cleaning stairs and picking up litter in communities across Edinburgh and Fife.
What do participants say about their experiences?
Suayip stated:
“Changing Lives was a really good opportunity for me. I work with a really good team who all try to do their best for people. We cut grass, clean stairs, pick up litter in communities in Edinburgh and Fife. I work normal hours, Monday to Friday, and I have time for myself, time for a normal life. Changing Lives made a big difference to me. I’m very happy in my job.”
What are the next steps for expanding these opportunities?
Additional programmes like No-One Left Behind support young people at risk of disengagement in Edinburgh, while Way Ahead aids those over 29 with complex barriers such as addictions or homelessness through training and work experience funded by Glasgow City Council. Wheatley Group continues to promote these via email at wheatley.works@wheatley-group.com and partner job listings.
These efforts underscore the housing association’s commitment to bridging employment gaps for vulnerable pupils and residents across Scotland.
