Major success for the industry with 85% now carrying cards Latest figures released by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) show that its members are making great progress towards ensuring their workforces are occupationally competent and carry Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. In a huge leap on figures released just six months ago, the latest survey shows that 85% of the workforces of the country leading house builders are now carrying the cards, up from 68% in October last year. The CSCS was introduced in November 2006 as a means of ensuring that everyone in the construction industry can demonstrate competence, qualifications, and health and safety awareness. Commenting, Executive Chairman of HBF Stewart Baseley said: “These results are a major achievement for the house building industry, and show its commitment to both creating a skilled workforce, and the workforce itself. “Whilst appreciating there is more to be done, we are proud that such progress has been achieved in so short a space of time, which is testament to the hard work of our members across the country. “Increasing the competency of our workforce can only help our industry in its ongoing drive to improve safety and quality on all our sites”. Sir Michael Latham, Chairman, ConstructionSkills, stated: “ConstructionSkills is extremely pleased that the housebuilding sector is making fast progress to ensure that its workforce is able to demonstrate site competence. We want to see an industry in which all workers are fully qualified to help reduce the risk of accidents, help drive-up performance and improve quality. This positive news from the HBF shows us that we’re on the right track.” - Ends - Notes to Editors: 1. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies: www.hbf.co.uk 2. The latest figures are taken from the 7th Major Home Builders Group QWF audit. The audit was conducted on 7 February 2008, following the 6th audit which took place in October 2007. From the nine member companies audited, the total number of workers surveyed was 42,260. Nationally, these skills groups have seen the following increases between the 6th and 7th audits: Direct employees – up 13% to 88% Managers and supervisors - up 9% to 94% Craft - up 20% to 84% CSO and basic skills - Up 21% to 83% The results are from a survey of employees working for the HBF’s Major Home Builders Group (MHBG), which comprises the nine largest HBF members by volume production – Bellway Plc; Bovis Homes Group Plc; Crest Nicholson PLC; McCarthy & Stone Plc; Miller Homes Ltd; Persimmon Plc; Redrow Plc; Taylor Wimpey plc; Barratt Developments PLC 3. In 2007, the Major Home Builders Group of HBF announced that they would be working towards a fully-carded workforce by the end of 2010. For media information, please contact Steve Turner on 0207 960 1606 or at steve.turner@hbf.co.uk
