Responding to the report published by ConstructionSkills today outlining projected labour and skills demand in the construction sector, Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), says:
“The home building sector recognises the overall challenge of meeting the labour and skills demand required to fulfil the UK’s construction needs.
“Independent research, commissioned by the HBF and CITB-ConstructionSkills, concludes that current skills shortages are unlikely to represent a barrier to expansion of the house building industry, showing that increased house building will actually facilitate greater efficiency and productivity.
“In February, the HBF announced an industry-wide skills strategy to extend current initiatives across the industry, co-ordinate activity with partners and push for qualifications and training that are fit for purpose for home builders. The Major Home Builder Group is promoting the Construction Skills Certification Scheme with the aim of having a fully carded workforce by the end of 2007, and a fully qualified workforce by the end of 2010.”
Notes for Editors
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk
In September 2005, Michael Ball, Professor of Urban Property Economics at the University of Reading, published an independent report into labour and skills shortages in the house building industry. The study was commissioned by CITB-ConstructionSkills and the Home Builders Federation.
The Major Home Builders Group comprises the eleven largest publicly listed companies.
ConstructionSkills’ “Blueprint for UK Construction 2006-2010” is available online at www.constructionskills.net/research
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Toby Orr
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toby.orr@portlandpr.co.uk