1. The HBF Skills Strategy John Slaughter
Skills for Homes
The HBF Skills Strategy
John Slaughter

2. Why a skills strategy? Delivering the Barker agenda
A complex scene which calls for an industry framework
Co-ordinated action can add value
Co-ordinated communication can reach more people
An influential voice for home builders

3. Before strategy - research
Professor Michael Ball’s research important
Skills challenges exist…..
…..but they can be met
The conditions needed to deliver an increase in housing numbers will enable the industry to harness gains in labour productivity

4. Professor Ball’s labour estimates
Total build
250,000 units
300,000 units
Baseline extra labour
90,000
165,000
Max saving
87,000
117,000
Min labour need
3,000
48,000
Adjusted need
41,000
97,000
Final estimate
20,000
80,000

5. Main skills needs
Trades – bricklayers, wood trades, plumbers and painters
Management – particularly site managers
Professions – quantity surveyors, planners, architects

6. Other issues Need for greater focus on home building in:
Construction courses and materials
Training for professions
Sector Skills Agreement
Academy for Sustainable Communities
New vocational qualifications

7. HBF’s Skills Strategy
Promotion of career entry – school, college, university
Qualifications for home building
Partnership initiatives – members, professions, others
Facilitating and extending current MHBG initiatives
Strengthening an effective voice for the industry

8. MHBG initiatives Trainees/ apprentices
Qualifying the workforce – CSCS and NVQs
Qualifications for site managers

9. MHBG initiatives status
A good start made:
Agreement to pilot new form of apprenticeship
Audit of CSCS take-up supported by HBF facilitator
Proposals for new site management NVQ options and materials

10. Next steps Funding needs to be geared to supporting initiatives
Current concerns:
No agreed funding for new apprenticeship pilots going forward
Funding concern also over support for CSCS and Qualifying the Workforce
Government needs to help resolve

11. Future vision HBF’s Strategy is wide-ranging
Member engagement and partnership working will be key to success
Range of important skills initiatives requires a strong focus through HBF
Much to gain:
Training geared to industry needs
Helping the industry deliver against future challenges