The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has hosted a parliamentary reception to highlight the diverse range of career pathways and entry routes available in the home building industry, and the importance of industry and government collaboration to ensure long-term resilience in the future workforce.
The event saw parliamentarians from across the political spectrum meet with home building apprentices, trainees, graduates and new entrants to learn about the variety of professions and career routes supported by the industry.
Sponsored by Lauren Edwards MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Skills, Careers and Employment, the reception also showcased the ongoing efforts of HBF and its members to attract and develop the workforce needed to construct high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
The home building industry is a major source of training and employment, supporting around 750,000 jobs last year – including around 9,000 trainees and apprentices – across a broad range of roles from design and architecture to engineering, construction, and sales.
While the industry currently has the workforce needed to deliver at existing volumes, estimates indicate the construction sector would need to grow by around 47,860 workers each year to meet the Government’s target of building 1.5 million homes. Meanwhile, the existing workforce will also require continued investment to meet new regulations and technology advancements, including the Future Homes Standard.
With less than 40% of further education construction students entering careers in the sector, and one in five current workers aged over 50 and nearing retirement, the talent pipeline is under growing pressure.
The reception showcased how home builders are positively responding to these challenges through the Home Building Sector Skills Plan which outlines industry’s roadmap for attracting, retaining, upskilling and future-proofing the workforce. HBF is working with its members and partners to deliver initiatives such as Women into Home Building, which supports women into leadership roles through a 3-week development programme; Partner a College, which strengthens links between employers and educators to better align the curriculum with employer needs; and a series of CITB-funded masterclasses that have already helped more than 15,000 tradespeople upskill.
However, government support will be crucial to fully close the skills gap and meet housing ambitions, ensuring all entry routes – including apprenticeship schemes – are accessible, providing long-term investment in further education, and taking steps to address viability, planning and demand-side barriers.
Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), said: “Home building offers a career for everyone, and today’s showcase highlighted that potential. As housing delivery increases, so too will the need for skilled and strategic talent.
“We’re proud of the positive impact industry initiatives are already having in attracting new recruits, upskilling our existing workforce and bridging the gap from classroom to site, but more must be done. With greater government support to expand opportunities and address constraints in the education system, we can build a resilient workforce capable of addressing the nation’s housing needs. Meanwhile, policy certainty and practical support for smaller builders - including demand-side measures and faster planning approvals – will enable industry’s employers to invest confidently in workforce development.”
Lauren Edwards MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Skills, Careers and Employment, said: “I’m proud to sponsor this event because a strong home building sector is critical to delivering the homes our communities need, driving growth, and supporting skilled jobs.
“As Co‑Chair of the APPG for Skills, Careers and Employment, I see how the home building sector - and the work of the Home Builders Federation - plays a vital role in helping young people build skills for long‑term careers, including the green skills we need to make our homes fit for the future.”
Hannah Spencer, MP for Gorton and Denton – and tradeswoman, said: “All too often young people are presented with a particular path and told it’s the ‘right’ path - I think it’s important for people to know there is a broad range of options available to them. At the same time, we need MPs to be aware of the challenges and opportunities within these kinds of industry. Most of them don’t have a background like mine!
“There’s a skills shortage in this country and we really need more people to consider a career in the trades. We also desperately need to scale up our rate of home building, and the rate at which we’re improving the homes we do have. They’re some of the leakiest in Europe, and that’s causing misery to too many people."
Download the Home Building Sector Skills Plan for more information on industry-led skills and attraction initiatives.
- Photographs from the event are available to download. Please ensure photos are credited to HBF and/or tag our social media handles