Site management placements for women are being funded by the Home Builders Federation to both boost skills and numbers of women in the construction industry
The Women into Home Building initiative, in its eighth iteration, works with national and regional home builders to offer their placements.
Currently, just 15% of the construction workforce, and 5% of site managers, are women.
The initiative is designed to boost numbers of skilled workers
It is estimated that the construction industry will need 239,000 new workers over the next five years to meet the government’s 1.5m new homes target. Therefore, the HBF is using this initiative as a targeted intervention to try to diversify and future-proof the skills pipeline and workforce.
Women into Home Building will run for three weeks, fully funded, starting with a week of initial online training and insight sessions, followed by two weeks of on-site work experience for participants. This will provide both technical knowledge and hands-on skills.
Thanks to NHBC sponsorship, the initiative is also able to offer childcare and travel support to women.
Neil Jefferson, chief executive at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Women into Home Building is playing an important role in future-proofing the home building workforce and expanding the talent pipeline. By raising awareness of career opportunities and breaking down long-standing barriers to entry, the programme is helping more women consider and pursue careers in the industry.
“It is great to see women across the UK gaining valuable insight and hands-on experience in the homebuilding industry through Women into Home Building. As the programme continues to go from strength to strength, with placement opportunities increasing year on year, I would strongly encourage anyone considering a career in homebuilding to apply. I look forward to seeing participants from the upcoming intake go on to launch successful careers across the industry.”
Applications to join this years cohort can be made here, closing 22 March.
The Circle Partnership is boosting numbers of women in Scottish construction
A pilot scheme by the partnership was launched in Scotland last October to improve the representation of women in the construction, property, and energy sectors.
The programme was specifically aimed at mid-level women in construction, and provided skills, connections and confidence to stay in the sector and improve their position.
Ceri Moyers, co-founder of The Circle Partnership, said: “We’re excited to be bringing the Circle Academy to Scotland and have been hugely encouraged by the support shown from female leaders in terms of their willingness to mentor with us. We know that our programme is making a difference to the sector’s capacity and capability, and we want to bring that impact to Scotland, particularly in the face of all of the upcoming investment in the education and energy sector and the associated skills challenges this brings.
“The Circle Academy pilot, which will commence in 2026, is designed to address the primary barriers women face to progression at work and combines emerging leadership training, a thought leadership summit, networking and advocacy events, and cross-sector mentoring with senior female industry leaders.”
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