Applications are now open for the next round of the Women into Home Building programme, offering inductions, work experience and site management placements.
The Women into Home Building initiative was launched by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in 2023 in collaboration with house-builders. There have been seven rounds so far 鈥� this is the eighth 鈥� and to date more than 150 women have been through the programme鈥檚 introductory training and work experience. However, only a third have since been offered employment within the industry.
Despite this low strike rate, the scheme is growing and rated highly by its supporters as an important contributor to tackling skills shortages
Women currently account for just 15% of the construction workforce and only 5% of site managers. Received wisdom is that women represent a largely untapped talent pool at a time when the industry will need an estimated 239,000 new recruits within the next five years to meet housing targets.
The fully funded three-week programme begins with an initial week of online training and insight sessions, followed by a two-week on-site work experience placement. Participants are promised insight into day-to-day site operations while developing leadership skills in a live working environment.
Selected candidates with be provided with childcare and travel support, sponsored by the National House Building Council (NHBC).
This time, the programme is also offering building inspector placements with NHBC alongside its usual site management placements.
For placements taking place in May 2026, the programme will be accepting applications between Monday 16th February and midnight on Sunday 22nd March. Career changers, returners, graduates, and women at any stage in their careers are encouraged to apply by completing an online application from at聽
Home Builders Federation chief executive Neil Jefferson said: 鈥淲omen into Home Building is playing an important role in future-proofing the home building workforce and expanding the talent pipeline. By raising awareness of career opportunities and breaking down long-standing barriers to entry, the programme is helping more women consider and pursue careers in the industry.
鈥淎s the programme continues to go from strength to strength, with placement opportunities increasing year on year, I would strongly encourage anyone considering a career in homebuilding to apply.鈥�
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