The skills needed for the future of house building

House building has always evolved.

But now, as the world faces new and emerging challenges like climate change, disrupted supply chains and rising costs, it’s arguably doing so at a greater pace than ever.

Such transformation requires skills and labour, of course.

Yet an ageing industry workforce makes it harder to find readily available talent ready to get stuck in on site – especially when the day-to-day job of building new homes can now involve technologies that were unfamiliar just a few years ago.

So what’s changing?

How can we develop today’s construction workers so they’re ready for tomorrow?

And what kinds of skills will we need in the future?

Rules and trends

The subject of changing skills has perhaps gained more attention thanks to the publication of the Future Homes Standard.

When it comes into force on 24 March 2027, the Standard will require all new homes to be built with low-carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency (albeit with a 12-month transitional grace period).

In a nutshell, that means designing homes that are heated by heat pumps rather than traditional gas boilers and building them with solar PV panels, too.

The industry is well used to adapting to regulations, of course.

But these sorts of high-profile, sweeping changes mean specific expertise and proven experience are in even higher demand among builders.

Modern methods of construction, too, affect the picture.

The portfolios of many large developers are increasingly shifting towards timber-frame homes as they look to reap the benefits of quicker build times, greater efficiency and reductions in waste.

Yet building a timber-frame home differs vastly to one of masonry construction, meaning workers need dedicated knowledge and a bespoke set of skills to install properly and prevent costly defects.

Shifting specialisms

Of course, some of the qualities essential in construction will remain timeless no matter where the industry goes.

Building safely, compliantly and with good communication are as vital now as they ever have been.

We can however expect the future workforce to depend on a growing combination of technical and wider professional skills.

Whether it’s being able to use the latest digital tools on site or deploying artificial intelligence effectively off it, harnessing the potential of technology is likely to be a prerequisite for anyone wanting to work in construction over the decades ahead.

So too will knowledge of sustainability and practical knowhow when it comes to building energy-efficient homes; after all, further regulation to reduce carbon emissions seems inevitable in the longer term.

The core principles of, for instance, bricklaying may have remained largely unchanged for centuries, but the day-to-day lives of the next generation of construction workers could look vastly different sooner than you think.

It’s impossible to predict the new digital devices that site managers may use in 2046, or what innovative building materials may emerge to support quality construction at scale.

We can be certain, though, that whenever the industry changes, the people who work in it will have to change too.

Fixing the roof while the sun shines

Unsurprisingly, some builders and developers are choosing to invest now by upskilling their existing employees.

They’re taking advantage of somewhat sluggish market conditions through continuous professional development that will ensure their workforce is better equipped for the next upturn in this highly cyclical sector.

At NHBC, we’re seeing more and more interest from our warranty and insurance customers in our training services.

Interest is growing in our targeted programmes, which can address specific skills and knowledge gaps in your business so you don’t get left behind by your rivals.

Qualifications are currently popular – like NVQs, which require no time away from site but instead assess existing competencies and help staff take the next step in their career.

And training designed especially for modern construction methods, such as our Managing timber frame course, is also in high demand.

The recruitment challenge

Some companies, however, are looking beyond their current talent and getting ahead of an incredibly competitive battle to secure the next generation of construction workers.

Bringing new labour into house building is essential, given CITB’s latest report predicted the sector will need an additional 206,000 workers by 2030 to meet demand.

That’s why engaging with young people and convincing those from a wider range of backgrounds to consider a career in construction will be so critical.

It’s also why we must prioritise providing clear routes from education into work on home-building sites.

NHBC’s training hubs are playing a huge role in this effort, providing site-like conditions and real-world environments that not only attract career starters, but retain them for the long term.

The apprentices who learn there also do so via an accelerated programme developed with their employers in mind.

By delivering quality-first training on best-practice building with multiple enrolment dates available throughout the year, apprentices can complete their training in as little as 14 to 18 months – meaning businesses eager to grow their headcount can do so as gradually or rapidly as they wish.

Your skills are your future

Ultimately, imagining what the future will look like is never simple.

But the need for housing, and the pressures on the industry, mean there’s never a bad time to invest in your skills.