Explore a career in site management
The Women into Home Building initiative has been designed to introduce more women to careers in site management.
The programme offers training and insight sessions to develop your knowledge of the role and home building industry, as well as a two-week work placement for hands-on experience, and the opportunity to connect with industry professionals.
About the programme
The Women into Home Building programme is now open to women across England, Scotland and Wales. The two-week placements will take place on building sites in your local area. You will also receive insight and training, and a contribution to travel and childcare costs.
Since its launch in January 2023, more than 125 women have received advice and guidance about a career in home building, with 65 women successfully completing site management work placements and 20 women have gained employment within the industry.
The programme's work placements will take place in a range of locations depending on employer opportunities. For a full breakdown of the placement locations available, read our FAQs.
What does the programme include?
Insight and training
The programme begins with a week of online training and insight, including a virtual site visit and sessions to train and equip you with essential knowledge – including health and safety and modern methods of construction.
Hands-on work experience
You will be matched to a local home building site, where you will take part in a two-week work placement, building valuable experience and connecting with industry professionals.
Support covering expenses
Common barriers to work experience can be travel or childcare costs. That's why we'll work with you to make sure there's a plan and your costs are supported.
Amelia's experience
Amelia took part in the fourth cohort of the Women into Home Building programme.
She has shared her experience during the programme and how it developed her career in the home building industry.
Who can apply?
You’re our ideal candidate if you…
Have good communications skills
Are interested in project management and like solving problems
Enjoy working in a team
Are aged 18 or over and have the right to work in the UK
Can commit to a three-week full-time training programme between Monday 4 November and Friday 22 November
Have achieved a Maths and English GCSE Grade 4 or C and above (or equivalent)
Are able to legally drive in the UK
How to apply
Recruitment for our autumn programme is open for applications.
The application window will close at 5pm on Sunday 22 September 2024.
To apply you will need to complete our short application form and have a digital copy of your CV and proof of right to work in the UK.
Participating organisations
We’ve partnered with 11 major home builders who will be offering insights on careers in the industry, delivering training and hosting work placements across England and Wales.
The programme is sponsored by NHBC to support candidates with the cost of travel and childcare.
Participating home builders include:
Frequently asked questions
Home builders work with communities to find suitable locations and collaborate with architects and planners to design great places. To build a home, they need everything from craftsmen to project managers and sales advisors.
All of these roles come together to make each home as attractive, affordable, and efficient as possible.
The industry also provides an exciting opportunity to be involved at the forefront of green solutions and innovative new technology.
With the current housing shortage at the top of every political agenda, we’re building more and more homes the nation needs. A career in house building can be incredibly versatile.
Development/Building sites are designated areas of land acquired for the purpose of building houses and communities.
They can vary in size and scale so you could be responsible for an area accommodating 3-4 traditional homes or the development of a community of homes and green areas. You could be responsible for all types of homes being built, including bungalows, detached and even non-traditional multi story apartments.
When you work on building sites, the site might be at a variety of different stages of the process, from foundation level to first floor or completed and ready to sell.
A Site Manager is responsible for managing the construction of a development, ensuring the site programme is planned, delivered and effectively monitored on a daily basis and that health and safety, quality, customer care, and cost targets are met.
As a Site Manager, no two days will be the same. You’ll liaise with architects, surveyors and the building trades to ensure a project is on track and there are enough staff, machinery and materials to get the job done. If you like project planning, one of the most varied and exciting opportunities is in site management.
Salaries are dependent upon the location/region, employer, level of responsibility and experience.
No. This this programme has been designed to focus on Site Management positions.
Our aim is to change the culture and dynamics on site and increasing the representation of women in leadership positions support this. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled Site Managers therefore strengthening the case to focus on this profession.
Work placements will be taking place in over 30 locations across the country, including: Bishton, Bordon, Burgess Hill, County Durham, Dagenham, Derby, Ditton, Edinburgh, Exeter, Hitchin, Kettering, Kingston upon Hull, Knutsford, Langold, Little Hulton, Liverpool, London, Newham, Northampton, Northolt, Patchway, Potton, Ramsgate, Richmond, Skipton, Snaith, South Molton, Southall, Southampton, Spennymoor, Stevenage, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Thetford, Widnes, Wolsingham, Woolpit, and Workington.
For a full list of the postcodes offering placements, ,view the application form.
Is your company interested in supporting the programme?
Contact the Home Building Skills Partnership Team.