As Apprenticeship Week gets underway, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) is calling on the Government to work with industry to support skills initiatives and ensure we have the workforce to supply desperately needed homes. Just this weekend, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner reinforced the Government’s commitment to ensuring 1.5 million homes are built by 2029. Whilst the industry has a workforce to deliver current build levels, if we are to meet the Government’s ambitious housing target the industry requires a 25% increase in recruitment, equal to 224,900 additional workers1 . If the Government can address the broader barriers to housing delivery, increasing skills capacity will prove a significant challenge. 35% of SME home builders already cite it as a major barrier to housing supply, according to the Home Building Federation’s recent ‘State of Play’ report and as output increases, we need to ensure the recruitment and training framework is in place to allow the workforce to grow HBF predicts that for every 10,000 additional new homes the industry builds, 30,000 new recruits are needed, including but not limited to 2,500 bricklayers, 2,500 groundwork/plant operatives and 1,000 carpenters. New regulatory requirements like the Future Homes Standard and Modern Methods of Construction are also contributing to the skills requirements, as industry will need new qualifications and trades, as well as upskilling the current workforce. With labour shortages on the horizon for the home building sector, now is the time to strengthen vocational education pathways, including apprenticeships and Level 1 and 2 further education courses, to equip the workforce with the construction skills needed for the future. While the latest ONS data has shown positive growth in apprenticeships, other routes into construction need to be supported if we are to deliver skilled workers required for industry. Recent Further Education statistics show that just 35% (or 5,840) of further education learners in construction courses secured sustained employment in the industry in 2022/23 after completing courses in 2021/222. This figure includes just 14% of Level 2 learners and a mere 8% of Level 3 learners. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) found that further education learners face barriers to entering construction such as low pay, limited opportunities, and insufficient support for new entrants3. To address these challenges HBF is working closely with employers, training providers, and government bodies to strengthen courses, make them better suited to the needs of industry and support learners to be more employment ready. The Home Builders Federation’s latest initiative, Partner A College, is a direct response to the challenges faced by FE students and the growing need for skilled talent within the home building sector. This two-year pilot, funded by CITB, will see HBF working with six colleges and 12 home builders across England and Wales, helping to foster collaboration between home builders and colleges to improve outcomes for students. This innovative programme is designed to improve the transition from FE courses into construction roles, ultimately increasing the employment readiness of students. This will be achieved by industry and colleges working together to shape training that is fit for purpose and deliver support so that colleges produce people that home builders and contractors are looking for. However, government support is vital in ensuring the success of these initiatives. While recent government reforms to apprenticeship requirements and red tape reduction are welcome, further industry-focused initiatives are needed to ensure the workforce can meet ambitious housing targets. HBF is calling on the Government to take a leadership role in shaping skills policies that are practical, industry-aligned, and easy to navigate. Early industry involvement in policy discussions will ensure that interventions effectively address on-the-ground challenges and work to build a resilient workforce. The Government must increase funding for further education and apprenticeships in construction and homebuilding, strengthen industry partnerships to create clearer vocational pathways, support SMEs in accessing skilled talent by reducing bureaucratic barriers, and promote the homebuilding industry as an attractive and viable career choice. Additionally, HBF urges the Government to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, allowing greater flexibility in its use to address skills shortages and making funding more accessible to smaller employers. As Apprenticeship Week 2025 shines a spotlight on vocational training, the time for decisive government action is now. A well-supported, skilled workforce is critical to meeting the housing demands of the future and ensuring the long-term success of the homebuilding industry. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation says: “The homebuilding industry is fully committed to tackling the skills crisis, but we cannot do it alone. We need government support to expand alternative pathways of entry into the sector, ensuring they are aligned with industry needs. “The future of our sector, and the delivery of much-needed housing depends on a skilled workforce. Without stronger action now, when the time comes the skills gap will become a major barrier to delivery, impacting productivity, housing supply, and economic growth.” - ENDS - For media enquiries, or to arrange an interview, contact HBF’s communications team at media@hbf.co.uk Notes to editors The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. HBF member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from widely recognised national firms, through regionally based businesses and small local companies: hbf.co.uk (1) CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2024-28 Report (2) ONS January release (3) Department for Education, Further Education Outcomes Dashboard, completed courses for 2021/22 (4) CITB, FE Learners Into the Construction Industry, Executive Summary, December 2020
