Platform Housing Group’s new Digital Future Academy is set to welcome its first six apprentices in September 2025.
With its launch covered in the January 2025 edition of Housing Technology, Platform Housing’s academy is designed to open doors for individuals who may have faced barriers to traditional academic success, particularly those who are neurodiverse or experienced challenges in classroom settings.
Jon Cocker, chief information officer, Platform Housing Group, said, “This is personal for me because I didn’t thrive in school and I know how limiting that can be. I also have a disabled son so it’s important to me that we create opportunities for those who may think differently, including people with autism.
“It’s about challenging ourselves, the way we do things and creating space for talents that might be overlooked elsewhere.”
Platform Housing’s academy received 157 applications, from which 22 applicants were invited to an assessment centre where they took part in practical tasks and interviews designed to highlight their potential, not just their CVs.
During their first year, the six successful candidates will rotate through several IT disciplines, including cyber-security, data analysis and service-desk support, before specialising in an area that best fits both their strengths and Platform’s business needs.
If successful, the housing provider plans to roll out its apprenticeship programme every two years, creating a pipeline of diverse digital talent for the housing sector.
