Paige Farrier’s fully funded route into a home building career

Fancy trading a laptop, a career break or a graduate scheme for a hard hat and a site office? A national programme that pays you to find out is opening its doors again, and this time you don’t need to know a thing about construction to apply.

What the programme involves

The Women into Home Building programme, run by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and delivered with Pathway CTM alongside national and regional home builders, is launching its ninth cohort. The scheme exists to widen access to site-based careers in home building and build up the industry’s future talent pipeline.

It is fully funded and runs for three weeks: one week of online training and industry insight sessions, followed by two weeks of hands-on work experience on a live building site.

The programme has just picked up the Career Development Initiative of the Year award at the Women in Housing and Housing Heroes Awards 2026, timed with the opening of recruitment for the latest intake.

More than 60 women into jobs

The numbers behind it are the real pitch. More than 215 candidates have now gone through the introductory training and work placement, and more than 60 of them have gone on to be offered a job in the industry.

Paige Farrier went through the eighth cohort. She said: “During the programme, we got to learn about all the opportunities in the construction industry. I learned so much on my two-week placement about how a site runs and what it really takes, and that learning is still ongoing now.”

“I would absolutely recommend applying, if it was not for this programme, I would not have the job role I have today, working as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager. I love my job, the team I work with, and how much I am learning. Networking is so important and this programme gives you that opportunity.”

Who it’s for, and how to apply

The programme is open to women considering a career change, returning to work after time away, entering the industry fresh out of education, or simply looking for a new opportunity at any stage of working life.

Andy George, Director of Industry Attraction and Skills at the Home Builders Federation, said: “Women into Home Building is expanding the industry’s access to a wider pool of talent while giving more women a clear route to explore the opportunities available in home building. By combining industry insight with practical experience, the programme can help challenge misconceptions about careers in the sector and give participants the confidence and knowledge to take their next step.”

“It is extremely encouraging to see the programme reach its ninth cohort and continue providing women across the country with direct experience of working in home building. The range of opportunities available across the industry is extensive, and programmes like this are important in making those careers more visible and accessible.”

“I would encourage any woman who is interested in finding out whether a career in home building could be right for them to apply. We look forward to welcoming the next group of participants in November and seeing where the experience takes them.”

Recruitment for the autumn cohort opened on Monday 17 August and closes at midnight next Sunday, 20 September, ahead of placements starting in November. Applications go through the online application process.