Neil Jefferson
CEO, Home Builders Federation
The housing crisis cannot be resolved without rapidly building more high-quality, energy-efficient homes. However, achieving this depends, at least in part, on expanding the homebuilding workforce.
With an ageing workforce and a shortage of new entrants, industry faces a significant challenge. Research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found that for every 10,000 new homes built, the industry needs over 8,000 new recruits across 12 key occupations, including bricklaying, groundwork and carpentry.
Addressing construction skills shortages
Home builders are taking steps to address these skills shortages. Through the Partner a College initiative — devised by HBF and funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)—developers and their supply chains are collaborating with Further Education (FE) colleges to increase the number of students entering the homebuilding workforce.
Furthermore, the Women into Homebuilding programme, launched in 2022, is helping to recruit more women into site-based management roles. Developers are also investing in their supply chains and embracing innovative off-site methods, particularly panelised construction, to improve efficiency in the industry. However, more must be done to ensure the industry has the workforce needed to achieve the Government’s ambition of building 1.5 million new homes.
By working collaboratively, we can deliver
the much-needed new homes and the skilled
workforce essential to building them.
Skills training needs reform
The current skills and training landscape is failing both employers and students and needs urgent reform. FE courses lack a strong focus on practical skills, with too much time spent on non-construction-related content. Additionally, requiring just 16 hours of study per week for a full-time course further restricts students’ ability to gain the skills necessary for employment.
The quality of apprenticeship courses is also variable, causing many students to drop out prematurely. Furthermore, it is counterproductive that two essential homebuilding trades — plumbing and electrical work, which are especially crucial as we transition from gas-heated homes to more sustainable electric alternatives — are not covered by CITB, the organisation tasked by government with assisting developers in attracting talent and enhancing skills.
Collaborative reform for the workforce
While challenging, none of these issues are insurmountable, and we welcome the Government’s commitment to reforming post-16 skills and recognising the vital role of employers in this process. By working collaboratively, we can deliver the much-needed new homes and the skilled workforce essential to building them.
