With the application process for Welsh Housing Awards underway, Jon Barnes, marketing and communication officer at CIH Cymru asks the question: what on earth have the Welsh Housing Awards got to do with learning and development?
Well, as much as it’s lovely to stick a bit of glass on a shelf in reception, the Welsh Housing Awards provide a much deeper learning and development opportunity than you might realise at first glance.
Taking a step back and assessing your work
Sometimes half the battle is having the discipline to stop and take a breath. It’s tempting to start on something new as soon as a piece of work ends. However, it’s vital to take a step back and identify the lessons to be learned. Take a look at your projects and campaigns from the standpoint of which ones you would share (or possibly win an award for!). Assessing work on its merits is a really useful skill to learn. In the context of the awards it will help your project impress the judges because you’ll have identified the very best aspects of your work to tell them about. Being able to evaluate your work honestly can also help you make the best use of your time. If you look at both the good and bad of any piece of work you can ensure that you don’t throw away any brilliant ideas or waste time repeating elements that didn’t work.
Writing an application
Penning a brilliant project summary that will wow the judges is one of those things that adheres to the universal law: practice makes perfect! You’ve got just 800 words to get across the method, outcomes and impact of your work. It’s also a skill that comes in handy throughout a career in housing. Bid writing, papers, reports; developing your ability to write concisely and clearly is hugely beneficial, so grasp the opportunity to practice with both hands.
Nailing the interview
Based on your feedback we’ve made a few changes to the Awards this year. Our judging process will be a little bit more in-depth. Your written application will be considered for shortlisting, then shortlisted entrants will be invited to a brief interview with our judging panel to determine winners. This adds another opportunity to brush up on some essential career skills. Talking about your work, particularly about how you achieved positive outcomes, will not only be a great way to boost your chances with our panel, but is a vital skill to progress your housing career.
Learning from others
The Awards aren’t just about personal learning. We try to use them as a vehicle to further sector knowledge by sharing the good practice we can learn from our pool of shortlisted entrants. This year we’re taking that to the next level. Our Good Practice Compendium, normally produced after the big night, will be sent out to Welsh members of CIH in advance, to give them the chance to vote for our members’ choice award winners. The Compendium is a treasure trove of new ideas; make sure to grab a copy!
Presenting at conference
If you were at TAI 2016 you might have noticed that throughout all three days there were workshops with Welsh Housing Awards shortlisted organisations. You told us that it was not only great to hear from them at conference, but that it was a real incentive to apply. So we’re doubling down on the opportunities. Shortlisted entries may be invited to speak at TAI 2017 and possibly even some dedicated masterclasses throughout the year. It’s a double header of a learning opportunity: share good practice with the sector, whilst you develop your ability to present at conference.
Make sure to check out the Welsh Housing Awards website, with information on award categories and a few tips for your application, to make the most of the learning and development potential of Welsh housing’s most coveted gongs. You never know, you might end up with a fancy bit of glass in reception as a bonus!
Welsh Housing Awards 2016 will be held on 18 November 2016 at the Vale Resort. Closing date for applications is 16 September 2016. www.cih.org/cymru/welshhousingawards