Applications open for next cohort of Women into Home Building programme

The Home Builders Federation has today (August 19) launched the fifth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme.

The programme was launched in January 2023 to attract more women into site management roles. It has so far engaged 238 women, successfully guided 65 candidates through training and work experience and supported 20 candidates into employment within the industry.

Ten housebuilders are participating in the scheme, offering more than 30 training, support and work placements. Bellway, Gleeson, Hill Group, Lovell Homes, Northstone, Places for People, Prospect Homes, St Modwen Homes, Tilia Homes and Vistry Group are all on board.

HBF said that currently, women represent only 16% of the construction workforce. Just 4% are site managers within housebuilding. With the industry facing a major skills shortage, the programme also aims to address the talent pipeline as well as the gender imbalance within the sector.

Women joining this next cohort will firstly attend training and insight sessions to develop their knowledge, with successful candidates being placed on a home building site local to them. Here, they will complete a two-week placement to gain hands-on experience and connect with potential employers.

Neil Jefferson, HBF’s ceo, said: “The …