Tens of thousands of new housebuilding jobs and apprenticeships will be up for grabs for years to come under a deal struck this week between ministers and the industry.

Government-led efforts have got Britain building – in the last year alone planning permission has been granted on 230,000 new homes and private housebuilding starts are at their highest for 7 years.

But leading housebuilders have made clear that a lack of skilled labour is one of the key problems facing their industry, and that they need a range of building skills as well as site managers, surveyors, planners and designers.

Building future skills

The 2008 housing crash devastated the industry, and led to the loss of a quarter of a million construction jobs.

But the housing market has now turned a corner, with government investment returning builders to sites across the country and construction companies now recruiting at their fastest rate since 1997.

Ministers and the housebuilding industry have agreed that the housebuilding industry will recruit tens of thousands of new workers in the coming years.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Our efforts have got Britain building over the past 4 years, creating thousands of jobs across the country.

“I want to make sure we maintain this momentum, and ensure British workers – whether those leaving school, leaving our Armed Forces or considering a return to the industry – benefit from the new career opportunities available.

“Today’s deal with the housebuilders will create tens of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships on sites across the country, so we can nurture this home-grown talent for years to come.”

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “Government has an important role to play in supporting the industry to develop the next generation of housebuilders – from management skills, to traditional trades, to modern building techniques.

“Through top quality employer-designed apprenticeships and industry-led training programmes, we want to help firms across the country to develop and invest in home-grown talent and get the skills they need to succeed.”