A national report highlights how employers and education providers are working together to encourage more young people into homebuilding careers. The findings also identify ongoing challenges around retention, diversity and awareness.
A recent national report from the Careers and Enterprise Company, in collaboration with the Home Builders Federation, highlights the increasing popularity of careers in the construction industry among young people. According to survey responses from more than 330,000 young people, construction is now among the top five career interests nationally, with enthusiasm for the sector rising throughout secondary school education. In workshops held around Liverpool, students are gaining practical, up-close experience in various aspects of construction, including brickwork and mock-ups of house builds.
This hands-on approach is becoming increasingly essential for the industry as it seeks to address a significant skills gap. The Construction Industry Training Board estimates that the United Kingdom requires approximately 47,860 additional construction workers each year. Current data from the Home Builders Federation suggests that every 10,000 homes built support more than 30,000 jobs, emphasizing the importance of a robust talent pipeline. The Liverpool City Region is being highlighted as a leader in this effort. Through the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and major housebuilders are working together to foster interest in the sector.
One such initiative is the SPL Change Academy, a partnership between the Sterling Plastering Group and the housebuilder Keepmoat. The academy provides hands-on training in purpose-built facilities, complete with full-scale house-build mock-ups, allowing students to engage directly with the trade.
Despite the rising interest, the report notes significant challenges. The industry faces what it describes as a 'leaky pipeline,' where learners often abandon training before completing long-term career paths. Furthermore, there is a notably low awareness of construction career pathways among girls, with only 3% expressing interest in the field. Addressing these barriers remains a critical priority for the industry as it continues to work toward strengthening its future workforce.
