November has brought important developments across the skills landscape, with Budget 2025 setting out new commitments for young people, employers and training providers. Alongside this, we’ve strengthened our wellbeing support with new addiction resources, expanded our qualification pathways, and released further dates for our construction safety programmes.
Here is what’s inside this month’s update:
- Thought Leadership: Budget 2025 and What It Means for Skills
- Addiction Awareness Week: New Mental Health Toolkit Resources
- CIH Level 4 & 5 Top Up Units
- Upcoming Construction Safety Courses
Budget 2025: What the New Skills Landscape Means for the People Who Rely on It
This week our CSO Sara Roberts shared her reflections on Budget 2025 and what it means for learners, employers and providers across housing, construction and public services.
The Budget brought a renewed focus on young people, signalled a shift towards more flexible skills pathways with the forthcoming Growth and Skills Levy, and confirmed rising employment costs through minimum wage changes and the continued freeze on employer National Insurance thresholds.
Sara’s article explores what this means in practice:
- How early support can shape better outcomes for young people
- Why flexibility in training routes will matter in the years ahead
- The impact of rising employment costs on teams and capability
- The connection between the Budget and ongoing qualification requirements in housing
- Why steady, people-focused development remains essential in a changing system
It’s a piece that looks beyond the headlines and considers what these changes mean for learners, employers and the teams supporting them.
Addiction Awareness Week - New Support Materials Added to the Mental Health Toolkit
To mark Addiction Awareness Week, we have added a set of specialist resources to the Mental Health Toolkit. These materials are designed to help learners and colleagues understand the complexity of addiction, recognise early signs and access appropriate support.
The additions include:
- Understanding Addiction
- Early Signs and What They Might Look Like
- Conversation Guidance
- A personal reflection checklist
- A reflective journalling page
These sit alongside the existing wellbeing resources available in the Toolkit, including stress management, resilience and reflective practice materials. If you are a colleague or learner you have 24/7 access.
CIH Level 4 and Level 5 Top Up Units - Flexible Routes to Meet the Competence and Conduct Standard
For staff who hold a qualification that is only partially compliant with the Competence and Conduct Standard, our CIH accredited top up units offer a practical, time-efficient and cost-effective way to bridge the gap.
These units allow learners to complete only the components they are missing, ensuring compliance with the expectations set out in section 3.2 of the government’s policy without repeating a full qualification. All training is delivered online, supported by experienced housing educators.
Top up units are ideal for:
- Housing officers
- Senior practitioners
- Team leaders and managers
- Colleagues progressing into more specialist or complex roles
They provide clear evidence of professional competence at Levels 4 and 5, support career progression and strengthen organisational readiness for the upcoming compliance requirements.
Construction Training - New Dates Released for CITB Courses
We have released further dates for our construction safety programmes, supporting operatives, supervisors and managers in developing the competence and confidence to work safely and lead effectively.
Available programmes include:
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
- Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
- Health and Safety Awareness
- Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme (SEATS)
All courses are delivered by experienced tutors with a strong focus on practical application and regulatory compliance.
View the full course calendar for dates and locations.
Strengthening Capability, Confidence and Wellbeing
As the sector continues to evolve, our focus remains on supporting organisations and individuals with training and resources that build capability, confidence and resilience.
Whether you are preparing for the Competence and Conduct Standard, exploring qualification pathways, or strengthening wellbeing support for your teams, our staff are here to help. If we can help you then please do contact us to arrange a conversation with the team.