As a new cohort of school leavers weighs up their next steps, a national initiative is launching to transform how young people enter the construction industry. The Partner a College programme, developed by the Home Builders Federation, has today confirmed the colleges and builders that will form the two-year pilot to bridge the gap between education and employment, and ensure students gain the practical, job-ready skills the industry needs.
Currently, less than 40% of construction students in FE enter the sector, and many employers, particularly smaller firms, struggle to navigate an overly complex education and apprenticeship system. Designed to close the gap, the Partner a College programme's collaborative model works to align curriculum content with real-world site demands, ensuring students gain the practical, job-ready skills employers need.
By bringing industry directly into the classroom, Partner a College is helping colleges deliver training that mirrors the pace, standards and expectations of modern building sites. Participating home builders will work with educators to shape course content, provide classroom and workshop support, host site visits, and offer work placements that give students first-hand exposure to the sector.
10 further education colleges from across England have been selected to take part, including Oaklands College, Loughborough College/SMB College Group, Hugh Baird College, Preston College, Moulton College, York College, West Suffolk College, Moreton Morrell College, Walsall College, and Nottingham College.
These colleges will work in close partnership with a diverse group of home builders ranging from national developers to regionally-focused SMEs and suppliers spread across the breadth of the country, with Barratt Redrow, Keepmoat, Anwyl Homes, The Hill Group, Untypical, Davidson Homes, The Tara Group, Taylor Wimpey, Wienerberger, and Ibstock Plc signed up as partners.
Funded by the Construction Industry Training Board, the programme forms a key pillar of HBF’s newly-launched Home Building Sector Skills Plan, which sets out a coordinated approach for the home building industry to develop a more resilient and inclusive workforce. Alongside initiatives such as employer-led masterclasses, NHBC Multi Skill Hubs, and the Women into Home Building programme, this programme exemplifies how industry, education and government can work together to deliver real change.
Andy George, Director of Skills and Attraction at Home Builders Federation, said: “The Partner a College programme is another example of how industry is taking decisive action to future-proof its workforce and ensure that new entrants are properly equipped to thrive in their careers.”
“By embedding real industry insight into education, we’re giving students a clearer, more practical route into home building, and giving employers a stronger, more reliable pipeline of talent. It’s a proactive model for tackling the skills gap, and it’s great to see interest in the programme and this model growing across the sector.”
Oliver Symons, Principal and Chief Executive at Moulton College, said:
“We are proud to be part of the Partner a College pilot and to work alongside leading employers to shape the future of construction skills. At Moulton, we see first-hand the talent and ambition of our students, and this initiative will give them the vital site-based experience and industry insight they need to thrive. By aligning what happens in the college with the reality of modern construction, we can equip people with the confidence, skills and opportunities to build lasting careers, while helping the sector to address critical skills shortages. This is an exciting step forward for both education and industry, and we are delighted to be at the forefront of it.”
Shaun Sumner, Construction Director at Anwyl Homes Lancashire, said:
“We’re proud to be involved with the Partner a College programme and are looking forward to working with Preston College under the initiative. Together, we will provide young people in Lancashire with opportunities to learn and develop new skills and a route into a career in the housebuilding industry. Alongside classroom learning, they’ll benefit from on-site practical experience at our Walkers Glade development in Ingol.”
Cheryl Brown, Head of Corporate Affairs and Social Impact at Ibstock Plc said:
“Ibstock is proud to be joining the Partner a College programme as a building materials manufacturer. While not housebuilders ourselves, we’re committed to helping address the sector’s skills gap. This partnership enables us to support the next generation of construction talent and contribute to building safe, resilient, high-quality homes. It’s also a chance to engage with communities near our manufacturing sites, including social housing residents, offering practical guidance on careers in the built environment. The industry can be fragmented, and we believe that only through collaboration - across the sector and with education - can we drive meaningful, lasting impact.”
Juliet Smithson, Head of Employer Delivery and Engagement at CITB said:
“The Partner a College programme is an excellent example of how the industry and further education can work together to tackle the skills challenges facing construction. By bringing homebuilders directly into colleges, this initiative will give students the real-world experience and confidence they need to move from the classroom into rewarding careers. It’s exactly the kind of practical, collaborative solution we need to build a strong and sustainable future workforce.”