<b><b>The House Builders Federation is conducting the first ever industry-wide employment survey - and early responses reveal that housebuilding is one of the UK's major employers. Mark Rice, HBF national external affairs manager, reports on the findings and the implications for skill shortages.</b></b><br> Housebuilders have always known that the industry is a major employer. But communicating this to government has been difficult as statistics about the sector are buried within information about the entire construction industry. To fill the gap HBF has undertaken the first ever industry-wide employment survey including both housebuilders and subcontractors. The final report will be published in May but the interim results offer a fascinating insight into employment in the sector. <p></p><p><b><b>More than 20,000 jobs</b><br></b>Although the subcontractor survey is still underway, the study of HBF members is complete and some early conclusions have been reached. </p><p>The results demonstrate that the industry employs around 207,000 people, of which approximately 62,000 are directly employed and 145,00 are self-employed or employed by subcontractors. Residential development therefore accounts for 10% of the 2 million employed in construction. This is comparable with clothing and fashion, which according to the Department of Trade and Industry employs 220,000 people, and nearly twice as …