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Irene Robertson Fund internship applications 2026 are open

Posted on 20th Mar 2026

Applications now open!

Are you a young person looking to take your first steps into a Housing career?  WSHA's Irene Robertson Intership could be the perfect opportunity.

Very sadly one of our colleagues, Irene Roberston, passed away in 2024. Irene was a valued member of the WSHA team who cared deeply about our communities, and it was agreed that we wanted to do something longer term in her memory. 

Irene felt passionately about learning and personal development and she undertook several qualifications during her time at WSHA and before this to support her own professional learning. The Irene Robertson Qualification fund was set up in 2025 in her memory to support young people in our communities who might be thinking about a career in Housing take their first steps.

Irene Robertson portrait

The Irene Robertson Qualification Fund - supporting young people into a career in Housing

The internship offers the following fully-funded opportunity to one young person in our community:

  • Chartered Institute of Housing Introduction to Housing Qualification – to be undertaken from June to October 2026. Can be online or mix of in-person and online
  • Chartered Institute of Housing Membership for the year
  • 16-week part-time work placement at West of Scotland Housing Association from June to October 2026, paid at the Real Living Wage
  • WSHA mentor to provide support with work placement and qualification 

Who can apply: 

If you are aged 16-25, live in one of our communities and are interested in a career in housing, this is the perfect opportunity for you. All you need are basic IT skills and a knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and be willing to commit to undertaking a 16-week course and work placement at WSHA’s head office in Barrowfield, Glasgow. 

How to apply: 

If you'd like to apply, all you need to do is complete this short application telling us a bit about yourself and return it to vacancies@westscot.co.uk no later than 12noon on Friday 10th April 2026.

Important dates:

  • Application deadline: 12noon 10th April 2026
  • Interviews: 22nd April 2026 
  • Course start date/ WSHA placement start date: 8th June 2026

If you have any questions at all about the internship or the application process, please just give WSHA's Customer Service team a call on 0141 550 5600 or email customer.service@Westscot.co.uk and they will be able to help you. 

Tia Coutts Graduation_Irene Robertson 2025

Hear from last year's intern - Tia

Tia was our first ever Irene Robertson intern, joining WSHA from June-Oct 2025. She now works for WSHA across two roles: as a Retiremment Assistant and an Income Maximisation Assistant. Here's her reflections on the application process and her internship:

"The application process for the internship at WSHA through the Irene Robertson Fund was a meaningful and memorable experience. 

The application process involved submitting my details and explaining my interest in the role and the housing sector. I was motivated to apply because the internship offered a chance to gain practical experience while contributing to an organisation that supports communities and provides essential housing services. Knowing that the opportunity was established to honour Irene Robertson’s legacy made the experience even more inspiring.

After applying, I was invited to a short interview where I had the chance to discuss my interests, skills, and what I hoped to gain from the internship. The process felt welcoming and supportive, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to giving people  an opportunity to develop professionally within the housing sector.

Joining West of Scotland Housing Association as an intern has been a valuable experience. It has allowed me to learn more about the housing sector, develop workplace skills, and understand the important role housing associations play in supporting local communities. Being selected through the Irene Robertson programme is an honour, I have now achieved a level 2 housing qualification through the fund and work for West of Scotland housing association full time as a Retirement Assistant and Income Max Assistant so I am eternally grateful for the Irene Robertson foundation as I wouldn’t be were I am without it."