The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced support for a Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan, which represents "a new way of working with the sector to improve skills, training and recruitment". 

Created in partnership with homebuilding sector stakeholders, the plan aims to increase the availability of skilled workers, to help meet the needs of the homebuilding pipeline. 

CITB is investing £3m into the initiative over the next two years, which will include the creation of:

• on-site multi-skilled hubs

• on-site brickwork and roofing masterclasses

• upskilling via the delivery of CITB brickwork standards in FE colleges

• extension of the New Entrant Support Team (NEST) to support the supply chain with apprenticeships

• the creation of new competence frameworks.  

This is an ongoing initiative, which will see further support as it progresses and which complements our existing offer.  More information is outlined in Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan page.

To ensure the training and support responds to the needs of the homebuilding sector, the plan has been created following ideas and contributions from major homebuilders, and in conjunction with the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC), Federation of Master Builders (FMB), National Federation of Builders (NFB) and the National House Building Council (NHBC).

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The plan reflects the priorities and activities needed to attract and develop the workforce of the future, and in doing so change the culture of the homebuilding industry. 

The plan highlights the sector's main priorities in achieving a measurable difference and has been referenced against both the CITB and CLC strategic plans, with the agreement of NFB, FMB, ABC and HBF. 

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: "The Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan is the first in an exciting programme of sector-specific skills initiatives, which will truly put employers in the driving seat. 

"By responding to the needs of the sector and working collaboratively with a range of partners and stakeholders, CITB continues to support the construction industry to have a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce, now and in the future." 

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman at HBF, said: "The Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan is the result of industry coming together to determine the investment required to deliver the high-quality homes communities need.

"This funding award will enable us to extend the roll out of our successful Brickwork Masterclasses and deliver a new roofing offer, therefore benefitting thousands of tradespeople within the home building industry over the next two years."

Eve Livett, Chief Executive Officer of Association of Brickwork Contractors, said: "ABC is delighted to have been involved in the development of the Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan. We are looking forward to working with Housebuilders to heighten productivity by improving skills, knowledge and behaviours on their sites, as well as continuing our work in FE colleges and expanding our provision into other areas of the UK.

"We have the most knowledgeable Brickwork Trainers, and I am proud of all they have achieved so far. This funding will enable their hard work to continue and I am confident we will be successful in bringing more skilled workers into the industry – something that is needed to support government targets."

Putting employers in the driving seat by improving construction's people pipeline, along with creating defined training pathways and delivering an efficient training model, are CITB's three key priorities, as outlined in our Business Plan 2023-24.