The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has teamed with Women into Construction to launch a nationwide employment programme for women to train in Site Management roles, helping to address the gender imbalance in the construction workforce, which currently sees just 16% female representation.
Working closely with employers Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, Cala Homes, The Hill Group, Keepmoat, Persimmon Homes, Redrow, St. Modwen and Vistry Group, the project hopes to attract women into Site Management by offering a unique funded programme that will provide support with childcare and training costs to make the opportunity more accessible.
The employment programme will include:
- Site visits (central locations and online)
- A week of online insight and development sessions on Site Management, including Q&As with Site Managers and employers, and employability and health and safety training
- Two-week on site work placement
- 1-2-1 coaching and support from Women into Construction
The work placements will take place at employer sites across England. They will offer participants first-hand experience of the Site Manager role and how they could help industry deliver much needed homes.
Women interested in this exciting opportunity are invited to register to attend an online information session at 11am on Tuesday 31 January 2023. At the event, they will learn more about the programme and meet the employers involved, including current Site Managers from across the country.
Women into Construction's Business Development Director Jacqui Wordsworth says: "With women representing just 4% of Site Managers, we want to inspire and encourage more women to take up a career in home building – helping us and our employer partners to change the face of construction.”
Jenny Herdman, Director for HBF’s Home Building Skills Partnership, adds: “The home building industry is facing a significant skills shortage. If we are to build the new housing this country desperately needs, it is vital that we attract a broad range of entrants into the industry.
“HBF is delighted to be working with Women into Construction to increase the number of female site managers in the industry and show that there are opportunities for people of all backgrounds and talents to develop a rewarding career in home building.”
Those interested in the programme can sign up and register for the online information session taking place on 31 January 2023 via the Women into Construction website.
ENDS
For more information on the programme, contact Claire Mellon at Women into Construction: marketing@women-into-construction.org, 07557 338 044.
Notes to Editors
- 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 multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies.
- The Home Building Skills Partnership (HBSP) was set up by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) to bring the home building industry together to attract talent and develop the existing workforce.
- Women into Construction (WiC) is an independent not-for-profit organisation promoting gender equality in construction with the mission to Change the Face of Construction. WiC provides bespoke support to women wishing to work in the construction industry and assists contractors in recruiting, retaining and progressing female talent, helping to reduce skills gaps and create a more gender-equal workforce. Women into Construction has now supported over 1,000 women into roles in Construction. For further information, please visit the Women into Construction website.
- Women interested in a career in Construction can email info@women-into-construction.org, and a team member will be in touch.
- Suggested alt text for image: Female worker on building site