The Barker Review contains a wide range of recommendations covering planning, taxation and the housebuilding industry. The government, which has accepted the recommendations, will consult stakeholders and review progress towards achieving its objectives in summer 2005.
The construction directorate deals with the on-site building process. These are the people who construct the new homes needed for the future.
Craftspeople are in continuing short supply and opportunities are excellent. These are no longer simply jobs for men. Nowadays there are more and more women who have discovered they can bring the right qualities and skills to the industry.
Most people train and gain vocational qualifications for crafts careers. Look at the CITB website - www.citb.org.uk - to see if these kinds of jobs might suit you.
Site managers and materials controllers are also needed, as are building managers, who are responsible for co-ordinating the process.
Housebuilders usually provide an after-sales service. An after-sales manager and a number of maintenance operatives may also be required in this division.
I left school after my 'O' levels and went to a local tertiary college to study OND in Building Studies. Two years later, armed with an OND with credits and distinctions, I enrolled on a four-year honours degree in construction management at Westminster University. I received sponsorship during my degree from Costain Construction. After graduating I was offered a job with them as a graduate trainee. I received 12 months training from Costain and then took a year out travelling in Australia.
"When I returned from my travels I successfully applied for a job as site manager with Westbury. That was seven years ago. Since then, I have matured from being relatively green in the housing industry to becoming a top producing site manager. Three years ago, I was promoted to area building manager. This involves pre-site planning, budgeting, sub-contractor appointments and approvals. It is a position I thoroughly enjoy and would not have been able to achieve without the guidance and support of our building director and other colleagues."
Tim Davies, area building manager, Westbury
