GHA’s training academy has now opened to tenants – with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meeting some of the first to benefit.

Until now, the focus for the Academy, which opened last year, has been on training and developing staff.

Now, as part of GHA’s drive to open up more education and learning opportunities for people living in GHA communities, it has started the first free training courses for tenants.

The Cabinet Secretary and Glasgow Southside MSP met some of the tenants who are keen on studying for a national housing certificate, one of the courses being offered at the Academy.

At the end of the three-week course, the tenants who pass will qualify with a Chartered Institute of Housing Level 2 certificate in Housing Practice.

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Other courses available to tenants so far include basic computer skills.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP joined GHA Chair Gordon Sloan and GHA’s Organisational Development Manager Dorothy Christie to welcome the students to The Academy.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Glasgow Housing Association is to be congratulated for offering training opportunities to its tenants.

"Offering educational opportunities through the Academy will, I am sure, help tenants gain the necessary skills and qualifications to secure job opportunities."

The Academy, which was officially opened by Nicola Sturgeon MSP in December last year, includes five training rooms, each equipped with computers and SMART boards, a quiet study area and a large conference room which holds up to 150 people.

Hundreds of GHA staff have already benefited from the training facilities.

GHA Chief Executive Martin Armstrong said: "We are absolutely delighted to be opening up The Academy to our tenants and factored homeowners and we hope in future to grow the number of courses on offer.

"We want to give people in our communities real opportunities to get on in life and offering free training and learning at our Academy is one way of doing this."