Case Study: NHBC

Home Building Skills Strategic Action Plan

The UK home building industry is facing a period of unprecedented change. With the industry coming out of a severe downturn there are big challenges that need to be addressed, such as:

  • trying to overcome a major housing shortage

  • meeting ever-increasing technical demands

  • Government's targets for low and zero carbon new homes

  • restrictions on finance and public spending cuts

  • land availability

  • lack of trained and skilled people, many of whom left the industry due to the recession

This project is aimed at tackling one of these factors – the skills issue.

In 2009 and early 2010, research was carried out in order to help the UK home building industry understand the likely future changes to their industry.

The research which was funded by the National House Building Council (NHBC), M&SDP and the Zero Carbon Hub focused on how these changes will impact on the skills and knowledge needed within the industry and its supply chain.

Research

Over recent months the project team has researched and collected expert opinion concerning the many projected changes that will affect the way homes are likely to be built over the next decade.

The focus was on developing scenarios for 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2020 – the first three being the key step changes around low and zero carbon homes.

In outline the project team:

  • Reviewed existing research and published opinion

  • Conducted in-depth face-to-face interviews with key opinion formers

  • Sought input from a number of expert groups from the Zero Carbon Hub's Skills and Training Workstream

  • Held a two-day workshop to gather more views from home builders, specialist and industry wide organisations, professional institutions, Government officials, education and training providers and other stakeholders

The Home Building Skills website outlines the research findings.

Some emerging over-arching conclusions include:

  • Uncertainty breeds inaction

  • Some new skills may be required, but lots of new knowledge will be required

  • The pace of change will not be the same for everyone

  • Successful home building depends on a team effort

  • Zero carbon homes are only part of the sustainable development story

Consultation

The project is now at the consultation stage, seeking further views on:

  • If the opinions expressed on the website reflect the reality as people see it

  • The resources available from training providers

The project has taken a broad look at home building across the UK but the zero carbon element only relates to England – there are different policies and timetables in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and therefore, feedback is particularly welcome on the skills and knowledge needs in those areas.

The consultation will be live until 31 May 2010 .

What next?

Later this year, the project team will publish the full results of the consultation and the proposed action plan. It will also provide signposts to training and qualification providers who can help meet the needs of the home building industry in its journey to gain skills and knowledge for the future.

Ultimately, a website which provides a free portal with links to everything the industry will need to gain those skills and knowledge will be established.