Bellway backs national initiative to get more women into construction industry by offering work placement in Raynes Park
Bellway Southern Counties is supporting a national training scheme aimed at attracting more women into the construction industry by offering a work placement in South West London.
The two-week on-site placement, available through the Home Builders Federation (HBF) Women into Home Building programme, is being offered at Bellway’s Cavendish Grove development in Raynes Park.
Bellway is one of 13 housebuilders working with the HBF to support the initiative, which was first launched across England, Scotland and Wales in January 2023. For this seventh cohort of the programme, Bellway is offering 11 of the 45 placements organised nationwide.
Ellie Hall, Group Resourcing and Talent Manager for Bellway, said:“Currently, statistics show that women account for just 16 per cent of the construction workforce and four per cent of existing site managers in the industry and this is a gender imbalance that we at Bellway are keen to help address.
“Our commitment to Women into Home Building is evidenced by each of our 20 divisions getting involved in offering placements across this year’s two cohorts, as part of our ongoing partnership with the HBF. This initiative is very important as it helps encourage women who might not have previously considered a career in the building industry to give the three-week programme a go.
“The aim is to find and develop future site managers, and the Women into Home Building programme really does work – since our first involvement in 2023, we have successfully brought talented new people into the company to strengthen our site management teams.”
Successful candidates for the new cohort of the programme will attend a week-long online training and insight session, between Monday 3 and Friday 7 November, to develop their knowledge of site management.
This will be followed by a two-week on-site work placement between Monday 10 and Friday 21 November, gaining hands-on experience and the opportunity to connect with potential employers.
The programme is fully funded, with the HBF supporting participants with travel expenses and childcare costs. Successful applicants will be expected to start and finish work placements on their designated site at the required times, which are usually 8.30am to 4.30pm.
On completion of the three-week schedule, participating employers and the wider industry will support and encourage candidates to apply for live vacancies that are available.
Former actor Petra Letang‑Laudat, who enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 20 years across TV, stage and radio, including in EastEnders, now has a new career in construction, at Bellway’s Fielders Quarter development at Barking Riverside in East London, after taking part in the Women into Home Building scheme.
She said: “It’s a completely different world and so far removed from what I used to do. On site, there’s always something that needs your attention. It’s ever changing, ever moving. It’s what I need. It channels my creative energy.
“Once I’ve become an assistant site manager, I’d be interested in getting my Level 6 at some point to get my Site Manager qualification and work my way up. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at HBF, said: “Home builders are actively working to diversify and expand the talent pipeline. At a time where Government’s housing ambitions require an increased workforce, initiatives such as the Women into Home Building programme are significant and extremely valuable.
“It is great to see Bellway is bringing opportunities to local women in South West London, supporting programme participants in gaining valuable industry knowledge, and hands-on experience. I eagerly anticipate seeing candidates from the upcoming programme intake launch successful careers in the home building industry."
Applications for the Women into Home Building scheme are now open and close at midnight on Sunday 21 September. Women interested in the programme can apply at https://www.hbf.co.uk/home-building-skills-partnership/women-home-building/programme/.
More information about careers with Bellway is available at https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/.