Future-proofing: The importance of early career voices in the housing sector

As we work together to address Ireland’s housing crisis, we must also confront a parallel challenge - one that directly affects our ability to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions: the need for a strong and future-ready workforce.

CIH’s CHOOSE Housing presidential campaign rightly champions housing as a career of choice, highlighting its essential role in building strong communities and driving economic growth. 

To meet the growing demand for homes and services, organisations across the sector must look beyond immediate vacancies and actively cultivate a new generation of housing professionals. That means encouraging young voices, investing in career pathways, and creating meaningful opportunities for early-career professionals to contribute and grow.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Fresh perspective, future solutions

Today’s graduates aren’t just entering the workforce; they’re entering it with purpose. Early-career professionals often bring a values-driven mindset and a sharp awareness of social, environmental, and economic challenges; motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This makes housing an ideal sector for their ambitions.

They also bring critical skills in digital technology (particularly utilising AI), data, communications, and systems thinking areas increasingly essential to how the sector operate and deliver impact. By welcoming their input and ideas, organisations can unlock innovative approaches to resident engagement, service delivery, and sustainable development. Furthermore, many young professionals are ready to contribute to strategic conversations. The organisations that recognise this - and act on it - will be the ones leading the sector into the future.

2. Eager to learn and ready to lead confidently 

Many young professionals are naturally inquisitive and driven and when nurtured by experienced leaders and given the opportunity to take part in diverse projects, they can quickly develop and grow into confident, capable leaders. When young professionals have the psychological safety to speak up, present ideas, and lead on initiatives, they develop the confidence needed to take ownership over their own projects. Over a short period of time, this builds a talent pool of emerging leaders ready to take on greater responsibility and drive the sector forward. 

We see this at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Ireland’s Young Professional of the Year award as part of their annual All-Ireland Housing Awards. Given the right opportunity, many graduates can thrive and become a core member of their team and a future leader of the housing organisation.

3. Career development starts now

Succession planning begins with intentional investment in staff from day one. The initial young professional investment shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘nice to have’, but instead, an actual necessity for securing the future of the sector. Ensuring young professionals are valued through time commitment and training from senior leaders is worthwhile. The alternative? A preventable skills shortage in years to come will have a much greater cost. 

CIH Futures has been established to support early career professionals in the sector as they make the transition from education to employment. Supporting early career professionals to define their long-term goals, take on new challenges, and see a future in the sector encourages retention and builds stability in your workforce. 

As long-standing champions for fostering future leaders in the non-profit sector and highlighting the career pathways available to early career professionals, 2into3 fully support initiatives such as CHOOSE HOUSING and CIH Futures, which facilitate pro-active workforce planning.