The Home Builders Federation’s (HBF) initiative seeks to address gender imbalance and the skills shortage in the housebuilding industry 

HBF has announced that it is accepting its fifth round of applications for the Women into Home Building programme from today. 

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The scheme aims to attract more women into site management careers across England, Scotland and Wales, with women accounting for 4% of existing site managers and 16% of the construction workforce in the housebuilding sector. 

Participants will complete a three-week full-time training programme between November 4 and November 22.

The scheme is being delivered in partnership with ten housing developers, including Bellway, Gleeson, Hill Group, Lovell Homes, Northstone, Places for People, Prospect Homes, St Mowden Homes, Tilia Homes, and Vistry Group. The developers will offer more than 30 in-person work placements across the UK. 

Women joining the fifth cohort will attend online training and insight sessions during the first week, with successful candidates being matched to a local home building site where they will complete a two-week placement providing “hands-on experience and the opportunity to connect with potential employers.” 

Since the programme launched last year, it has guided 65 women through training and work experience, and supported 20 into industry employment. 

The programme’s delivery partner, Women into Construction, recently ceased trading after 16 years due to the “challenging economic environment”. The National House Building Council (NHBC) will sponsor women joining the newest cohort and address a common barrier to accessing work experience by providing financial support for travel and childcare. 

HBF represents private sector housebuilders, with member firms accounting for around 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales annually. 

Women interested in joining the programme can apply on the HBF website. Applications close on Sunday 22 September at 5pm.  

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