# Digital Qualification Launch for Scotland’s Social Housing Sector

Over the past few months we’ve been working closely with colleagues at [Glasgow Kelvin College](https://www.glasgowkelvin.ac.uk/) to develop a brand new qualification for the housing sector in Scotland. This new qualification, Certificate in Digital Inclusion Project Management, is a credit rated qualification at SCQF Level 8. We were delighted to be able to unveil this new opportunity on 22 November at a launch event in Glasgow.

The development of the qualification has been an exercise in co-production. We were able to draw on our ongoing learning at SCVO from our [Digital in Social Housing](https://scvo.scot/digital/participation/digital-champions-in-social-housing) project, take the expertise of Glasgow Kelvin College on community learning and development and qualification creation, as well as working with an amazing focus group representing the housing sector. Our focus group (Debs Allan from [Linstone Housing Association](https://www.linstone.co.uk/), Andrew Collinge from [Melville Housing Association](https://www.melville.org.uk/), Rory Brown from [Govan Housing Association](https://www.govanha.org.uk/), and Karen Johnstone from [Williamsburgh Housing Association](https://williamsburghha.co.uk/)) provided expert input on managing digital participation activities in a housing context and helped steer the direction of this work.

The finished product is a roadmap to help managers in housing associations develop sustainable digital inclusion projects. The course covers nine assessment areas, including: creating a community profile; submitting a business case; developing a project plan; and developing a Digital Champion recruitment strategy. Each assessment is supported with a specifically curated selection of resources to help learners with their studies.

**Who is it for?**

This course has been specifically developed for managers or those who take the lead role on digital inclusion activity in social housing providers. This is a practical qualification so you’ll need to be able to complete the work-based tasks in order to complete each assessment. If you have a passion for digital inclusion (and free qualifications) but you aren’t in a management position don’t worry! We’re currently developing two further qualifications which will be aimed at housing staff providing frontline services – coming in early 2020.

**How do I register?**

We’re able to take an initial intake of 15 learners. This is because we want to make sure that the qualification is fully meeting the needs of the sector before we open it up further. The initial intake will also be a shorter term of 6 months, running from January until June 2020, so we’d only encourage registrations from individuals who will be able to deliver their digital inclusion project within that timeframe. The course will be opened to more learners in August 2020.

If you are confident that you can complete nine assessments and start running your project by June 2020 then you can register your interest by emailing [digital@scvo.scot](mailto:digital@scvo.scot)

**How much will it costs?**

Nothing! This course is being provided at no cost to you as it has been funded by the Scottish Government Digital Office.

If you’d like any more information you can email us at [digital@scvo.scot](mailto:digital@scvo.scot)

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)