The move comes just days after gender equality organisation Women into Construction ceased trading.

The HBF programme is being delivered in partnership with 10 home builders to offer more than 30 training, support and work placements.

Participating home builders include Bellway, Gleeson, Hill Group, Lovell Homes, Northstone, Places for People, Prospect Homes, St Modwen Homes, Tilia Homes, and Vistry Group.

Currently, women account for just 16% of the construction workforce and 4% of existing site managers in the home building industry.

Since welcoming women into its first cohort in 2023, the Women into Home Building programme has engaged 238 women, successfully guided 65 candidates through training and work experience and supported 20 candidates into employment within the industry.

Women will attend training and insight sessions to develop their knowledge of site management. Successful candidates will be matched to a local home building site where they complete a two-week work placement providing hands-on experience and the opportunity to connect with potential employers.

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at HBF, said: “The home building industry offers a variety of rewarding careers and we must continue to invest in and increase the diversity of our workforce if we are to meet the ambitious housing targets set by the government.

“Having women in on-site leadership roles expands perspectives, introduces different leadership styles and boosts creativity, so we’re pleased to be working with our members once again to deliver the Women into Home Building programme.

“Our programme has been developed to increase awareness of the leadership careers available and routes to employment, whilst giving participants employer-backed knowledge and experience to kick-start their careers.”

Women interested in the programme can apply here. Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 22 September 2024.