Steve Turner is an Executive Director of the Homebuilders Federation and gave this exclusive quote to ‘Your Postcode’:
“ If we are to increase housing supply to meet the needs of the country, house builders will need to recruit and train hundreds of thousands of young people into our industry in the coming years.
“ We have to be providing the opportunity for young people to learn the range of skills the industry needs and develop their talents so they can play their part in building the new homes we have to deliver.
Housebuilding is a rewarding, well paid career that offers a range of opportunities for young people keen to work hard and develop. As the industry skills up and grows to meet the challenge of delivering tomorrow’s new homes, it will desperately need skilled and ambitious young people who are keen to progress”.
At present, the industry does not have a sufficient talent pipeline to deliver at the scale or pace necessitated by the Government’s housing targets. Indeed, the home building industry has long faced a significant skills shortage due to:
- a shortfall in the number of recruits being attracted into house buildingof those entering current construction related higher education courses far too few are going onto a career in house building
- a severe loss of skills during the previous recession – 40% to 50% of skilled labour left the industry.
- Increases in demand – Industry has delivered an increase in supply over the past decade.
- an ageing workforce – 25% of the homebuilding workforce is aged over 50 meaning the sector is facing an impending retirement cliff edge.
- The National Curriculum is not fit for purpose for new entrants into the construction industry.