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In 2022, HBF and a network of home builders developed the Women into Home Building programme to address the gender imbalance in the construction workforce.
The programme was launched in January 2023 and has since supported 65 women to gain site management experience and valuable networking links with employers.
The Women into Home Building programme
238 women engaged and informed about careers
65 women completed work placements
20 women gained a job or apprenticeship
Figures up to May 2024
About the programme
The Women into Home Building scheme has been created by national and regional home builders. The programme has been designed to help address some of the barriers to women entering the industry and increase awareness of site management careers to a new talent pool.
The programme lasts three weeks and offers practical experience to local women across England, Wales and Scotland.
The programme includes:
- Online information session and a virtual site visit
- 5-day online insight week to train and equip participants with required knowledge
- Personal development sessions to support participants to apply for trainee roles
- An introduction to health and safety in construction
- Insights into modern methods of home building
- Two-week work placements on a local working site
- A contribution towards childcare and travel costs while on placement.
The programme has been designed to focus on Site Management positions to increase the representation of women in leadership positions and address the shortage of skilled Site Managers in the home building and wider construction workforce.
Frequently asked questions
The Women into Home Building programme is delivered in two cohorts a year.
Each cohort is delivered over three weeks, starting with insight week.
During insight week successful candidates will take part in online learning sessions to provide context on the role and training. This is followed by a two-week work placement at an employer site.
At the end of the three-week period, candidates are supported to apply for live vacancies offered by participating employers and the wider industry.
No. As it stands this programme has been designed to focus on Site Management positions. Our aim is to change the culture and dynamics on site and increasing the representation of women in leadership positions support this. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled Site Managers therefore strengthening the case to focus on this profession.
Women into Home Building is delivered across England and Wales, with work placements taking place in a range of locations depending on employer opportunities.
Employers need to be a member of HBF to take part in the scheme.
Large home builders are required to sponsor a minimum of three candidates per programme. This could be one per cohort or split in any combination across the 3 cohorts of the programme. The sponsorship covers training, work placements on your sites and supporting costs such as PPE, travel and childcare as appropriate.
SME home builders must sponsor a minimum of one opportunity per programme.
For more information on becoming a sponsor, including associated costs, contact the Home Building Skills Partnership Team at skillspartnership@hbf.co.uk
The primary benefit of taking part in the Women into Home Building programme is that it will strengthen your talent pool with a range of underrepresented candidates who, at the end of the programme, will be employment ready. All candidates are eligibility checked as part of the onboarding experience, ensuring you are matched with eligible talent.
Taking part in the programme will increase your brand visibility as your involvement will be detailed as part of each cohort’s six-week promotional campaign for each cohort. This includes inclusion on an employer profile page in the programme’s brochure and being part of broader communications activity delivered by HBF.
Each candidate you sponsor will take part in five days of online training to give them an insight into home building and the role of a Site Manager. This is in addition to a two-week work placement at a site-based location of your choice, shadowing the site management team.
Throughout their time on the programme, candidates will receive support, including help with childcare and transport costs whilst on placement.
If you would like to take part in future programmes, please get in touch with the Home Building Skills Partnership Team at skillspartnership@hbf.co.uk
No, this is not an employment scheme therefore employers do not have to guarantee candidates a job at the end of the programme.
However, one of the aims of the programme is to connect prospective talent with employers therefore we do encourage employers to consider candidates for future roles.
A number of candidates who have successfully completed the programme have gone on to secure a job at the end of their placement.
News and updates
Is your company interested in supporting the programme?
Contact the Home Building Skills Partnership Team.